For Michael Chaput he didn’t know how to feel about seeing his NHL rights being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets Monday afternoon.
“It was sort of awkward and surprising, I didn’t know what to expect,” said Michael Chaput. “Columbus called me yesterday and it was pretty exciting actually.”
“Columbus saw something in me, so that’s a positive for sure.”
Chaput didn’t find out about the trade from his agent, the Blue Jackets, the Philadelphia Flyers, or the Maineiacs, but rather a family member.
“I found out after practice, my cousin texted me and he said, “I heard you got traded to Columbus,” said Chaput. “I thought it was a joke at first, but I actually went to look on the internet and it was true.”
Chaput has heard from the Columbus Blue Jackets management.
“The GM (Scott Howson), the assistant GM (Chris MacFarland), and the Director of Player Development (Don Boyd) all spoke to me and they are all happy with the trade that they made,” Chaput said.
“I am looking forward to go there this summer.”
He understands why the Flyers traded his rights.
“It’s hockey, it’s business, they do what they have to do to get players and I am not mad or anything,” Chaput said. “I am going to get the chance some where else and I will take the opportunity.”
At the end of the day, he got the chance to speak to his brother Stefan who was traded late Sunday night from the Anaheim organization to the Boston Bruins.
“We spoke to each other and we were laughing about it,” Chaput said. “It’s rare something like that happens.”
If the Maineiacs don’t make out of the first round of the playoffs and Michael Chaput gets the call to the Springfield Falcons of the AHL, the Falcons play their second to last game against the Providence Bruins on April 9th.
