Ben Chiarot Bio
Ben Chiarot is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Hamilton, Ontario, on May 9, 1991, he was selected in the fourth round, 120th overall, by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. A left-shooting defenceman standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 234 pounds, Chiarot has built his reputation as a dependable, physical presence on the back end.
Over the course of his career, Chiarot has suited up for the Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens, and Florida Panthers before joining Detroit. He is best known for his role in Montreal’s run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals, where he led the team in ice time during the playoffs. His steady, shot-blocking style has made him a trusted contributor on every roster he has joined.
Early Life and Background
Ben Chiarot was born on May 9, 1991, in Hamilton, Ontario, to Tara and Matt Chiarot. He grew up in a family with deep roots in Canadian sport, particularly Canadian football. His grandfather, Gord Chiarot, played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, while both his father and uncle played college football at McMaster University.
Despite that strong football heritage, Chiarot’s father refused to allow him to play the sport as a child and encouraged him to focus on ice hockey instead. Chiarot developed his game as a defenceman in the minor hockey ranks, suiting up for the Mississauga IceDogs of the Greater Toronto Hockey League. In his final season with that program, he produced 22 goals and 64 points across 75 regular-season games and added five points in seven OHL Cup contests, establishing himself as a promising blueliner headed for the next level.
Path to Hockey
Chiarot’s path to professional hockey ran through the Ontario Hockey League, where he suited up for the Guelph Storm, Sudbury Wolves, and Saginaw Spirit. That junior experience gave him the foundation he needed to earn an NHL opportunity.
His big break came when the Atlanta Thrashers selected him 120th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Following the draft, Chiarot made his professional debut in the American Hockey League with the Chicago Wolves during the 2009-10 season, beginning the long climb toward full-time NHL duty.
Ben Chiarot Career
Early Career (2010-2014)
Chiarot spent the first phase of his pro career developing in the minor leagues. On March 16, 2011, the Atlanta Thrashers signed him to an entry-level contract, formally launching his NHL career. He continued to log significant time with the St. John’s IceCaps, the AHL affiliate, refining his two-way game.
On July 23, 2014, Chiarot signed a two-way deal worth $600,000 with the Winnipeg Jets, the organization that had relocated from Atlanta. He remained a regular with St. John’s during that period, building the strength and reliability that would eventually earn him a more permanent NHL role.
Winnipeg Jets Breakthrough (2014-2019)
Chiarot made his mark in Winnipeg by scoring his first NHL goal on January 3, 2015, in a 5-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. That milestone was a turning point in his career, signaling his arrival as a full-time NHL contributor.
On June 18, 2015, the Jets re-signed Chiarot to a two-year, $1.7 million contract extension, recognizing his growth. Two years later, on June 24, 2017, they rewarded him again with a two-year, $2.8 million extension carrying an average annual value of $1.4 million. Across his eight seasons within the Thrashers-Jets organization, Chiarot evolved from a depth prospect into a trusted top-six defenceman known for his physicality and penalty killing.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2019-2022)
Following the 2018-19 season, Chiarot left Winnipeg as a free agent and signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens on July 4, 2019. He wasted little time making an impact, scoring his first goal for the club on October 9, 2019, in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres. In his first season in Montreal, he set a new personal best with 9 goals and 12 assists in 69 games.
Chiarot assumed an increasingly prominent role with the Canadiens, and the defining stretch of his tenure came during the 2020-21 season. He played a central part in Montreal’s surprising run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals, where they ultimately fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Chiarot led the team in ice time during the playoffs, cementing his identity as a workhorse defenceman. He later called the trip to the Finals the pinnacle of his hockey life.
Heading into the final year of his contract, Chiarot became a fixture of trade speculation as the Canadiens stocked picks for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He tallied 18 points in 54 games, with his last appearance coming on March 13, 2022, when he assisted on a shorthanded game-tying goal in the final minute of the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers, leading to a 4-3 overtime win. Coach Martin St. Louis held him out of subsequent games to protect him from injury before the deadline.
Florida Panthers Era (2022)
On March 16, 2022, the Canadiens traded Chiarot to the Florida Panthers in exchange for prospect Tyler Smilanic, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2022 fourth-round pick. He remained in Montreal initially, then made his Panthers debut on March 24 against his former club, recording an assist in a 4-3 Florida victory.
The Panthers won the Presidents’ Trophy that year with the NHL’s best regular-season record, and Chiarot slotted into a top-four role during their 2022 playoff run. He helped Florida eliminate the Washington Capitals in the first round, winning the series 4 games to 2 and advancing to the second round for the first time in 25 years. In the second round against Tampa Bay, Chiarot was fined for head-butting Lightning forward Ross Colton in Game 1, and the Panthers were ultimately swept from the postseason.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2022-Present)
On July 13, 2022, Chiarot signed a four-year, $19 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings, a major commitment that signaled his stature as a veteran presence on the blue line. He has since settled into a steady role with the club, contributing on the penalty kill and in a defensive shutdown capacity.
On January 29, 2026, Chiarot scored the goal that helped propel teammate Patrick Kane to first place on the all-time points list among American-born NHL players. That milestone came only a day after Chiarot had signed a three-year extension with the Wings, underscoring his continued value to the organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Chiarot is widely regarded as a physical, defense-first blueliner who excels at clearing the front of the net, blocking shots, and winning battles along the boards. He is particularly effective in penalty-kill situations and brings a calming veteran presence to his pairings. His heavy shot and willingness to join the rush when appropriate also add an offensive wrinkle to an otherwise stay-at-home style.
Notable Events and Milestones
Chiarot’s career has featured several signature moments, including his first NHL goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2015, his workhorse role during the Canadiens’ run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals, and the Presidents’ Trophy-winning campaign with the Panthers in 2022. His assist on Patrick Kane’s record-tying and record-breaking points in January 2026 stands as one of the more unique milestones in recent Detroit history.
Ben Chiarot Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ben Chiarot comes from a deeply athletic family rooted in Hamilton, Ontario. His maternal and paternal lines include his grandfather, Gord Chiarot, a Canadian Football League player for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and BC Lions, as well as his father Matt and uncle, who both played college football at McMaster University. Sports have been a central part of his family identity, even though his father steered him toward hockey rather than football.
Personal Life
Chiarot is the son of Matt and Tara Chiarot, who raised him in the Hamilton area before he pursued his hockey career across multiple NHL cities. He has kept much of his personal life private, focusing publicly on his career and his contributions to each team he has represented.
2025 Season Performance
Throughout the 2025 calendar year, Chiarot continued to serve as a stabilizing veteran on the Detroit Red Wings’ back end. Paired primarily with younger defencemen, he provided leadership in the defensive zone and took on a heavy share of the penalty-killing workload. His consistency in shot blocking and face-off coverage helped Detroit stay competitive in tight games throughout the year.
Chiarot’s 2025 contributions were measured as much by minutes logged and matchups absorbed as by offensive output. He was trusted by the coaching staff with late-game defensive-zone starts and key penalty-kill deployments, and his steady play gave Detroit a reliable veteran presence as the team pushed for a stronger finish in the standings.
Following the 2025 portion of the season, Chiarot’s strong play earned him a three-year contract extension with the Red Wings, signaling the organization’s confidence in his continued role. Looking ahead, Chiarot is expected to remain a top-four defenceman and a mentor to Detroit’s younger blue-line core as the club builds toward longer-term contention.
