Chichkin excited to bring size, experience to Rebels blue line
By DANNY RODE – Aleksey Chichkin had to smile when it was mentioned he was probably thought of as an import player more often than not.
“I get that quite often,” he said.
While his parents are from Russia, the 20-year-old rearguard was born in Vancouver, meaning the Red Deer Rebels do not fill an import slot when they picked him up in a trade from the Prince George Cougars for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2027 WHL Prospects Draft.
“My parents moved to Canada about 25, 30 years ago,” he explained.
The Rebels were able to add the six-foot-five, 221-pound Chichkin last week as they had one of their overage slots open after earlier releasing Brett Calhoon. They also had a spot on the defence open after trading Derek Thurston to the Saskatoon Blades.
Chichkin admitted it was a bit of a shock to be traded but added “I’m excited to be here.”
The Rebels are Chichkin’s fourth WHL team.
He signed with the Calgary Hitmen for the 2023-24 season after playing a year with the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL. He was traded to the Regina Pats the next season and played 32 games with the Pats before finding himself on the road to the Cougars.
Having played with Calgary and Regina, Chichkin knows all about the Rebels.
“I came here a lot,” he said. “They were always a tough team to play against which is the first thing I thought about. We (the Hitmen) played them a lot that ‘year and lost all nine games to them.”
Chichkin brings a style that will fit in nicely with the Rebels.
“I play a tough style. I do move the puck well but I’m someone you don’t want to play against. I like to use my size. I’m a big boy and I use it a lot …I play Red Deer hockey, that’s my style.”
Having moved around, Chichkin indicated he’s saw a number of different coaches and learned something everywhere he went.
“They all have different styles, but I got used to it. Each coach has their own style and moving around the league I gained experience and learned a little bit from everyone … just growing and getting better.”
Having played with a number of different defensive partners, Chichkin finds he can adapt quickly.
“It makes it easier as I’ve played with so many people. I just like to see how they play and adjust that way.”
He played alongside with Luke Vlooswyk in his first two games with the Rebels. Both have size and can be tough to play against.
“It’s been good. We’re both tall and play a similar style. I think we built some chemistry very quickly in our first game,” he said. “Now we just need to keep it going.”
While Aleksey has experience, he’s not about to sit back and relax.
“I want to keep getting better every day,” he said. “That’s the main thing when you’re playing in the WHL.
“When you have a good coaching staff, like we do, you try to take as much as you can from them, even though I’ve been around for a while.”
Chichkin also wants to bring leadership to the Rebels, who are one of the younger teams in the league.
“I was captain when I was in minor hockey and now as a 20-year-old defenceman I want to be in that leadership role and help the young guys here … helping out anyway I can.
“I’m usually a quieter guy, but I want the way I play to set the tone. I was once in the same spot as the younger guys and I had 20-year-old veterans who helped me a lot and I know how much that meant to me.
“This group has a lot of younger talented guys … it’s a great sign. This year with the CHL and NCAA rules you’re bringing in some young guys which is good. I think they have so much talent in this group, and everyone is figuring it out.”
===
The Rebels are set to host the Swift Current Broncos at the Marchant Crane Centrium this Saturday, November 1. Game time is set for 6 p.m. but should there be a seventh game for the World Series game time will be moved to 3 p.m. Tickets for Saturday’s game and all Rebels home games this season are available through Tickets Alberta.
