Chartier: We’re shooting to go as high as we can

14 October 2024

Rourke Chartier’s arrival at Kunlun was something of a coup for the Dragons. The Canadian center joined us off his most productive season in the NHL. That couldn’t fail to attract attention from elsewhere, and Russian sports website Championat.com was quick to set up an interview with our new forward. Here are some of the highlights as Rourke talks about settling into life in the Dragons’ Lair, the players who persuaded him to give the KHL a shot and the importance of rejoining old friends in a new locker room.

Chartier joined the Dragons from the Senators, where he had just had his best NHL season in terms of games and points. Against that background, many expected the 28-year-old Saskatoon native to stick around and try to consolidate his role in the big show. But for Rourke, there’s more to life that battling on the bubble – and Red Star offered a satisfying new role.

“I played at the highest level, but one of the big reaons to come over here is hopefully to be more of a point producer like I was in the minors and junior levels,” Rourke said. “I know I’m a guy who’s getting older and there’s no guarantee for me to be on the NHL team every night.

“I wanted a situation where I was going to be one of the big players on the team and not in a position where you’re going up and down. You’re playing for one team trying to win. Now I’m excited for an opportunity where it’s a little less of a grind to stay up or not know if you’re going to be up or down every single day.”

Since arriving, Chartier has had to adapt to a new country, having never played outside of North America before. Among the immediate plans are learning Russian – “If I get one letter a day, I’ll be good!” – and getting used to KHL hockey.

That also means getting used to KRS history, and a long wait to get back to the playoffs. There’s a buzz around the club this season that hints at a chance to return to post season, and Chartier is keen to be a part of it.

“We shoot to go as high as we can go,” he said. Historically the team hasn’t had much success. But it looks like we added a lot of players, coaches, did all the right things. And there’s some new guys over here, myself included.

“There’s a lot of really good hockey players in the KHL and a lot of really good teams. But I think we’ve got a lot of really good players. We’re hoping we can surprise a lot of teams. It’s a long season and a lot can happen. But I think we’re going to be a really competitive group for sure.”

‘EVERYONE SAID GOOD THINGS, SO IT WASN’T A HARD CHOICE’

Ottawa to Mytishchi might look like a long trip. But hockey is a tight-knit family. Rourke had plenty of opportunity to discuss life in the KHL with his former team-mates: both Russians and imports.

“I talked to a lot of guys who’ve played over here,” he said. “I played enough years with a lot of guys who’ve come over or guys that were over here. And I talked to some Russian guys who are from here and came over [to North America]. I think I tried to call as many guys and talk to them as much as I could to know as much as I could about what to expect before I decide to come.

“We didn’t discuss anything crazy, it depended on what team they were on, but just how life’s like over here. And then how the game kind of is and what kind of style of play it is. Everyone said really good things, so it wasn’t that hard of a choice.”

‘DANNY’S A GREAT PLAYER AND GOOD FRIEND. IT’LL BE A LOT OF FUN.’

Meanwhile, in the Dragons’ Lair, the arrival of Danny O’Regan squared a circle. The two were team-mates in San Jose and now they are reunited at KRS. Chartier was first to commit to the Dragons, but is reluctant to take the credit for securing Danny’s services as well.

“We were pretty good buddies,” he said. “We lived together when we played together in San Jose. But we never talked about it before. I’d committed to coming before he’d signed. And once he saw I signed, he was pretty excited. I don’t know if they owe it to me, but I’m excited to play with him again. He’s a great player and a great friend. I think it’ll be a lot of fun.”

O’Regan is one of many North American players on the roster, which makes Red Star an attractive proposition for imports. But it’s a first time working with Russian coaching staff.

“Mikhail [Kravets] speaks pretty good English, so it’s been pretty easy getting it across,” Chartier said. “I think there are two coaches who speak pretty good English. Nothing’s lost to me in translation.

“I think they do a good job. Obviously, it’s not as easy as it’d be for them in a Russian team but I think their English is both really, really good. I don’t think they lose any points in translation.”

‘I’VE BEEN LUCKY TO PLAY WITH GUYS WHO ARE FUTURE HALL OF FAMERS, BUT ALSO REALLY GOOD GUYS.’

From Leo Draisaitl to Vladimir Tarasenko, Rourke’s team-mates are a veritable who’s who of modern hockey stars. Tarasenko, who won the Stanley Cup last season, was one of the people who helped Chartier choose to come to the KHL.

“Vladdy is a good friend of mine. He’s been really, really good to me,” Rourke said. “A guy who’s played as long as he has, he’s won a couple of cups – you never know when you meet these guys.

“Right from the first moment he was one of the nicest people I’ve met in hockey. Someone who’s genuine and cares about everyone he’s played with. He helped me out a lot. We played a couple games together. Had we been in the playoffs, it would have been great and I’m sure we would have kept him. But I was really happy he got to go to Florida, where his family lived, and win a cup. I was pumped up for him. He treated me well.”

Is he the greatest of his former team-mates?

“That’s a tough one. I played with Draisaitl in the beginning. It’s hard not to put him there. He was a center so we didn’t really play together too much because we were both centers back then. And Claude Giroux, I played with him last year. I thought he was exceptional. But we had all those guys in San Jose – Karlsson, Burns… I’m probably leaving out so many names. I’ve been lucky to play with a lot of guys who are not just world class and future Hall of Famers but also really good guys.”