Veteran Defenseman Helped Lead Montreal to 2021 Stanley Cup Final
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito announced today that the Florida Panthers have acquired defenseman Ben Chiarot from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Florida prospect Ty Smilanic, a fourth-round selection in the 2022 NHL Draft (acquired from the New York Rangers) and Florida’s first-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft. Additionally, Montreal has agreed to retain 50% of Chiarot’s Standard Player Contract.
“Ben is a solid veteran defenseman that will bring both experience and size to our blue line,” Zito said. “Having reached the Stanley Cup Final with Montreal last season, he is a player that knows what it takes to make a deep playoff run, which is what our organization is striving for in these next few months.”
Chiarot, 30, has played in 54 games with the Canadiens in 2021-22, producing 18 points (7-11-18). His seven goals, 18 assists and 96 shots on goal led Montreal defensemen, while he paced all Montreal skaters with an average time on ice of 23:33.
The 6-foot-3, 234-pound native of Hamilton, Ontario has played in 469 NHL games between Montreal (2019-20 to 2021-22) and the Winnipeg Jets (2013-14 to 2018-19), amassing 110 points (29-81-110).
Chiarot has skated in 56 NHL playoff games with Montreal (2019-20 to 2020-21) and Winnipeg (2014-15, 2017-18 and 2018-19), producing seven points (1-6-7). During Montreal’s run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, Chiarot led Canadiens skaters with an average time on ice of 25:15, the highest among all skaters who played at least 15 playoff games last season. He scored his first career playoff goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against Tampa Bay.
Prior to his professional career, Chiarot skated in 229 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) games with the Guelph Storm (2007-08 to 2008-09), Sudbury Wolves (2009-10 to 2010-11) and Saginaw Spirit (2010-11), recording 70 points (20-50-70).
Chiarot was originally selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the fourth round (119th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft.
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