67’s rookie Chitaroni carries name, lessons in pursuit of own legacy

Ottawa 67’s rookie Brock Chitaroni comes from a hockey household. His father, Terry, is a four-year veteran of the Sudbury Wolves, which he had captained. His oldest brother, Mason, is a former member of the Wolves and what was then the QMJHL’s Acadie-Bathurst Titan, and his other brother, Hudson, currently plays for Sudbury.

“I started training when they started training,” he said of his brothers. “I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”

Being surrounded by hockey from the get-go gave Brock a head start by the time he began to play more organized hockey.

“I started when I was probably about two years old on an outdoor rink with my brothers, who were five and seven,” said Chitaroni. “By the time I was four years old, and most guys are just learning to skate, I was already two years in and pretty advanced because of it.”

While Brock leans on veterans and the 67’s coaching staff for advice on how to handle the daily rigour of junior hockey, his family’s hockey background has given him another perspective on how to best adjust to the more structured environment.

“They’ve been through stuff that not a lot of people would know,” he said. “So learning those lessons from them at an earlier age has been really helpful.”

However, the move to the OHL has also meant a physical move away from his home and support system to Ottawa.

“I’m very lucky to have very good roommates and billets,” he said of the move to Ottawa. “It’s made it a lot easier.

Among those part of his new family are roommate Ryder Fetterolf and neighbour Ondrej Ruml. 

“We hang out nearly every day,” he says of his clique. “We’re just so close, and it’s so nice having a bunch of the younger guys in such close proximity to each other.”

Outside of the holidays, Chitaroni hasn’t had much of a chance to reconnect with his family. However, he does hope that he’ll have the chance soon to meet his brother Hudson, even if it’s on the other side of the ice.

“I’m really excited for the chance to play him, even if it’s not this year because of his injuries,” he said. “We were originally expected to play against each other in January before his injury,” he said.

“Maybe a little chance to play against him in the playoffs, which would be cool,” he said. “Either way, it’s probably gonna be two of the hardest games of our lives when we do.”

Despite following in the footsteps of his brothers and father, Brock is set to create his own legacy. While the flight hasn’t been without turbulence, he’s well on his way to his destination.

The youngster is already the highest-drafted player in the family at third overall, has represented Team Canada internationally at the U17s, where he was over a point-per-game, and is currently on pace to finish his rookie campaign with a respectable 30 points.

The 67’s will take on the Barrie Colts this Family Day at TD Place, February 16th at 3 p.m, presented by Tim Hortons. Fans can buy tickets to the game here.