Ben Chiarot Bio
Benjamin Chiarot is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on May 9, 1991, in Hamilton, Ontario, Chiarot was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the fourth round, 120th overall, at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Over his NHL career, he has established himself as a reliable, physical defenceman known for his size, shot-blocking ability, and steady defensive presence. Chiarot has previously played for the Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens, and Florida Panthers before joining the Red Wings in 2022.
Early Life and Background
Chiarot was born in Hamilton, Ontario, to Tara and Matt Chiarot. His family has deep athletic roots in Canadian football. His grandfather, Gord Chiarot, played in the Canadian Football League for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the BC Lions. Both his father, Matt, and his uncle played college football for McMaster University. Despite the family tradition in football, Chiarot’s father did not allow him to play football as a child, redirecting his focus toward ice hockey instead.
Chiarot grew up playing minor ice hockey as a defenceman for the Mississauga IceDogs in the Greater Toronto Hockey League. During his final season with the team, he recorded 22 goals and 64 points in 75 regular season games, along with five points in seven OHL Cup games. This strong offensive production from the blue line signaled his potential as a two-way defenceman at the junior level.
Path to Professional Hockey
Following his successful minor hockey career, Chiarot advanced to major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He played for three OHL teams during his junior career: the Guelph Storm, Sudbury Wolves, and Saginaw Spirit. This developmental period in the OHL helped him refine his defensive game while maintaining his offensive instincts from the blue line.
His performance in the OHL caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his selection at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. The Atlanta Thrashers chose Chiarot in the fourth round, 120th overall, marking the beginning of his professional hockey journey. He made his professional debut in the American Hockey League with the Chicago Wolves during the 2009-10 season, immediately following the draft.
Ben Chiarot Career
Early Career (2010-2014)
After being drafted, Chiarot continued his development in the minor leagues before earning a contract with the Thrashers organization. On March 16, 2011, the Atlanta Thrashers signed Chiarot to an entry-level contract. The organization relocated and became the Winnipeg Jets for the 2011-12 season, and Chiarot remained with the franchise through its transition. He spent several seasons refining his game with the Jets’ AHL affiliates, including the St. John’s IceCaps, before earning a regular spot in the Jets’ lineup.
Following a strong campaign with the St. John’s IceCaps in the AHL, Chiarot signed a two-year, two-way contract worth $600,000 with the Jets on July 23, 2014. The deal reflected the organization’s confidence in his potential as a future NHL regular.
Winnipeg Jets Breakthrough (2014-2019)
Chiarot earned a permanent spot on the Jets’ defence corps during the 2014-15 season. A major milestone came on January 3, 2015, when he scored his first career NHL goal in a 5-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Scoring his first goal against his hometown team made the moment particularly memorable for the Hamilton-born defenceman.
The Jets rewarded his progress with a two-year, $1.7 million contract extension on June 18, 2015. He received another two-year, $2.8 million extension on June 24, 2017. Over five seasons with the Jets, Chiarot established himself as a tough, reliable defender who could log difficult minutes against top opposing forwards. His physical style and consistent defensive play made him a valued member of the Jets’ blue line.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2019-2022)
After spending the first eight seasons of his professional career within the Thrashers and Jets organization, Chiarot entered free agency in 2019. On July 4, 2019, he signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens, marking a significant step in his career as he joined one of the NHL’s storied franchises.
Chiarot made an immediate impact with Montreal, recording his first goal with the team on October 9, 2019, in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres. In his first season with the Canadiens, he set a new career high with 9 goals and 12 assists in 69 games, demonstrating his ability to contribute offensively from the back end.
His most significant achievement with Montreal came during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Chiarot assumed an increasingly prominent role on the Canadiens’ defence, becoming one of their top performers during their unexpected run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals. He led the Canadiens in ice time throughout the playoffs, helping the team defeat the Vegas Golden Knights in the semifinals before ultimately losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Finals. Chiarot later expressed gratitude for the experience, noting that reaching the Finals represents the pinnacle of hockey and is an opportunity not every player receives.
During the 2021-22 season, Chiarot became a trade candidate as he approached the final year of his contract. On March 16, 2022, the Canadiens traded him to the Florida Panthers in exchange for prospect Tyler Smilanic, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2022 fourth-round pick. He made his Panthers debut on March 24 against his former team, recording an assist in a 4-3 victory.
Florida Panthers (2022)
The Panthers finished the 2021-22 regular season with the best record in the NHL, earning the Presidents’ Trophy. Chiarot played a significant role in their defence during the playoffs, helping the team defeat the Washington Capitals in the first round in six games. The series victory marked Florida’s first playoff series win in 25 years. The Panthers were ultimately eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round, ending their championship run.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2022-Present)
Following the 2021-22 season, Chiarot signed with the Detroit Red Wings. On July 13, 2022, he agreed to a four-year, $19 million contract, solidifying his place as an experienced veteran on Detroit’s blue line. The deal reflected the Red Wings’ desire to add physicality, experience, and defensive reliability to their lineup.
Chiarot has continued to serve as a steady, physical presence on the Red Wings’ defence, logging heavy minutes against top competition. His size, positioning, and willingness to block shots have made him a valuable veteran leader on a young Detroit team rebuilding toward playoff contention.
Driving Style and Strengths
Chiarot is known for his imposing physical style of play. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 234 pounds, he uses his size effectively to win board battles, separate opponents from the puck, and protect his goaltender. His left-shot defence style emphasizes positional play, smart gap control, and the ability to handle tough minutes against elite competition. He has earned a reputation as a reliable, workmanlike defender who brings consistency and physicality to his team’s blue line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Chiarot has reached several significant milestones. His first NHL goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2015 marked his arrival as an NHL player. The 2021 Stanley Cup Finals run with Montreal represented the pinnacle of his playoff success, featuring extensive ice time and clutch performances against top opponents. His contributions helped end the Canadiens’ 28-year wait to return to the championship round. The subsequent Presidents’ Trophy win with Florida in 2022 added another notable achievement to his resume as he continued competing at the highest level.
Ben Chiarot Career Statistics Overview
Throughout his NHL career, Chiarot has established himself as a reliable defenceman who has played over 500 regular season games. He has accumulated career highs in goals and assists while becoming known for his steady defensive play and physical presence on the blue line. His most productive offensive seasons came during his tenure with the Montreal Canadiens, where he reached the 30-40 point range. Chiarot has also been a consistent presence in the playoffs, most notably during the Canadiens’ run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals.
NHL Regular Season Highlights
Chiarot debuted in the NHL during the 2014-15 season with the Winnipeg Jets and has since appeared in multiple NHL seasons across four different organizations. His 2020-21 season with Montreal marked his strongest offensive output, coinciding with the team’s deep playoff run. He has maintained consistent point production throughout his career while serving as a reliable defensive defender on various teams.
Playoff Performance
His most memorable playoff performance came during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs with Montreal. Chiarot led the Canadiens in ice time during their championship run, playing crucial minutes against top opposition. He helped Montreal defeat the Vegas Golden Knights in the semifinals before the team fell to Tampa Bay in the Finals. His physical play and defensive reliability were instrumental in the Canadiens’ unexpected journey to the Stanley Cup Final.
Ben Chiarot Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Chiarot comes from a distinguished athletic family with strong roots in Hamilton, Ontario. His grandfather, Gord Chiarot, played professional football in the Canadian Football League for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the BC Lions, representing a legacy of elite athletic achievement in the family. His father, Matt Chiarot, and uncle both played college football at McMaster University, continuing the family’s football tradition.
Despite the family’s deep connections to football, Chiarot’s father encouraged him to pursue ice hockey rather than football. This decision proved pivotal, as Ben Chiarot developed into a professional NHL player while his football-playing relatives achieved success at the collegiate level. The Chiarot family’s athletic versatility spans multiple sports at different competition levels.
Personal Life
Chiarot was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where his family’s football legacy was well known in local sports circles. He has maintained strong connections to his hometown throughout his hockey career. As a professional athlete, he has focused on building a durable career as a physical, reliable defenceman in the NHL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NHL season marked another year of steady presence on the Detroit Red Wings’ blue line for Chiarot. Entering his third full season with the organization, he continued to provide the physical, reliable defensive play that characterized his career. His experience and veteran presence proved valuable for a Detroit team working to establish itself as a consistent playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.
Chiarot’s physical style remained a hallmark of his game throughout the season, as he continued to engage opponents along the boards and in front of the net. His ability to log difficult minutes against top opposing lines provided stability for the Red Wings’ defence corps. Working alongside a mix of veteran and younger teammates, he contributed to Detroit’s blue-line rotation while maintaining his reputation as a dependable, workmanlike defender.
The Red Wings continued their development under their current coaching staff, with Chiarot serving as an experienced voice in the locker room. His steady presence and consistent effort exemplified the veteran leadership Detroit sought when they signed him to his current contract. As the season progressed, Chiarot remained a key contributor on Detroit’s back end, bringing physicality, positional soundness, and reliability to every game.