Fashion Lighting Player Spotlight – Daniil Chayka
Born in Moscow, Russia, 19 year-old Daniil Chayka was drafted by the Storm 7th overall in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. The 6’3, 189 lbs. right-handed defenceman has spent three seasons with the Storm with an intermittent stint in the KHL during the COVID-19 stoppage of play. In his second season with the Storm, Chayka boasted 11 goals and 23 assists in 56 games and won an OHL championship in his previous rookie season. Chayka was selected 38th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2021 NHL Draft.
HOW IT STARTED
Question: When and how did become involved in hockey?
Chayka: When I was five years old, my parents started thinking about putting me in sport and there was a hockey rink right beside our house. They brought me to my first practice, and I loved it ever since.
Q: Have you always played defence?
Chayka: Yes, I always played defence. When I was five, I started learning how to skate and then when I turned seven years old, I went to my first team practice. The coaches never said who would be in what position, they put me on D, and I was totally okay with that. As a kid I wanted to be a goalie, but I was okay with what they decided for me.
Q: Are there any players you style your game after, and if so, who?
Chayka: There are so many good defence players in the NHL, so I just try to watch every game I can. I try to learn from all of them. Especially being drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights, I try to look at their defence because they are who I will be competing against.
Q: Who would you say is your biggest support system?
Chayka: My parents. My mom and dad were never really hard on me about hockey stuff, even at times the team was doing bad and something wasn’t going my way, they were always supporting me and saying the right words.
HOW IT’S GOING
Q: How has your experience in Guelph been so far?
Chayka: I love it. I think this is the best spot for development. My parents call the OHL the mini-NHL. The fans, the coaches, the team, the city, everything is so high level.
Q: How was your experience at development/main camp and did you have a favourite part?
Chayka: It was a great experience. My favourite part of main camp was practicing and playing with top NHL players. The rookie camp and rookie tournament were amazing. I loved it out there.
Q: How would you describe the energy of this year’s team?
Chayka: We have great energy going, even though we had a tough start with a couple losses, but I think we will be fine. We have a good group of players and we’re all becoming really close. Even when the games aren’t perfect, the energy is high.
Q: What motivates you to work hard?
Chayka: Since I came to Canada when I was 14-year-old my dream was to play in the NHL. Which is still my main goal. So that’s what motivates me every day in practice and on game days.
LOOKING FORWARD
Q: What are you personally working on the most this season?
Chayka: When I was at the NHL main camp, I saw that everyone is special, and I must be bigger and stronger out on the ice. It really is a big difference between the OHL and NHL.
RANDOM RAPID FIRE
Q: Spotify or Apple music?
Chayka: Apple Music
Q: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Chayka: Moscow
Q: If you were a superhero, what superpower would you want?
Chayka: Read people’s minds
Q: What is your go-to cheat meal?
Chayka: Pizza
Q: What is your favourite holiday?
Chayka: Christmas
