Chase De Leo, once told by his mother that his NHL dreams were a long shot, has achieved success in the league and recently signed with Barys Astana in the KHL. However, after two games, he faced sudden contract suspensions and left Kazakhstan amid concerns for his safety. Now in Zurich with the ZSC Lions, his brief stint ended due to limited playing time. Despite setbacks, De Leo remains optimistic about finding a new opportunity in European hockey.
Chase De Leo’s Journey from California to Europe
As a young boy in Southern California, Chase De Leo received a dose of reality from his mother, who candidly told him that his chances of reaching the NHL were slim—around one percent. Determined, De Leo responded, “That’s enough for me; I will be that one percent.” Today, at 29 years old, he has fulfilled that promise, carving out a successful career in the NHL and earning millions along the way. This fall, he embarked on a new adventure in Europe, signing with Barys Astana in the KHL, where he quickly became a favored player of coach David Nemirovsky.
A Sudden Turn of Events in Kazakhstan
However, just two games into his stint, the coach was dismissed, and after seven additional games, De Leo’s journey in Kazakhstan abruptly came to an end. The club decided to suspend the contracts of all nine foreign players, leaving De Leo in a precarious situation. “I was summoned to the president’s office and informed that our visas for Kazakhstan would expire in two days,” he recounted in a recent interview. The experience was surreal, prompting him to consider writing a book about his time there. Concerned for his safety, he stated, “I didn’t want to end up in a gulag. That was really a concern of mine.” With little choice, he left the country in haste, uncertain if he would ever see the money he was owed.
De Leo’s passion for hockey ignited when he was young, thanks to a neighbor’s connection with Bob Hartley, then-coach of the Colorado Avalanche. Attending games alongside stars like Peter Forsberg and Patrick Roy opened his eyes to the world of professional hockey. Dressing up as a hockey player for Halloween, complete with a Jason mask, solidified his dream of becoming a pro.
In California, hockey remains a niche sport, compelling De Leo to travel extensively for competition. As a teenager, he journeyed to places like Michigan, Canada, and New York for games, often at the expense of his education. “I missed so much school that my parents almost went to jail. They sacrificed a lot for me, and I am incredibly grateful to them,” he reflected.
Currently, De Leo helps out at his parents’ small plumbing supply business whenever he can. He fondly recalls his teenage days of picking up dog waste, which he now finds therapeutic. His dog, CJ, has been a constant source of support, providing unconditional love and companionship. “He doesn’t care about my worst game; he just wants me home,” De Leo shared.
Now based in Zurich, De Leo feels the absence of CJ more than ever. Shortly after departing from Astana, he received a call from the ZSC Lions, who needed a replacement for an injured player. Optimistically, he boarded the plane, but his time in Zurich was also short-lived. After just four games, ZSC terminated his contract, citing unmet mutual expectations.
In a conversation with coach Marc Crawford, De Leo learned that his playing time would be limited, a reality he found frustrating. “I wanted to push myself here for a new contract for the upcoming season, but I didn’t get a real chance,” he lamented. ZSC’s sports director, Sven Leuenberger, emphasized that playing time must be earned, and with seven foreign players already on the roster, they were not looking to sign a replacement.
As De Leo seeks his next opportunity, he carries a sense of humor about his situation. “At least I don’t have to worry about ending up in a gulag in Switzerland,” he joked. More seriously, he stated, “I’m at a point where I don’t care about the money. I just want to land somewhere where I feel wanted and can regain my confidence.” With plenty of teams across Europe searching for talent, De Leo remains hopeful that his next chance is just around the corner. After enduring this challenging winter, he believes that things can only improve from here.