“But things really cooled off from the first of January one. It’s sad because, yes we played some bad games, but we also played some good ones against good teams like London, Windsor, Barrie and Kitchener, and beat all of them. We are the only team to beat Barrie twice this season.”
 

When the Sting traded a number of their veterans in Steve Reese, Jordan Hill and Adam Courchaine, and Brent Sullivan was injured, it left players like Chiarlitti, who was a fifth round draft pick two years ago, to become a leader on the team.

“It’s easy to lead when a team is winning and things are going well,” said Chiarlitti, who is one of the team’s assistant captains. “But when you are losing you find out the real character of some players and how they react to the negatives and how they try and climb out of that circumstance.”
 

He added, “Younger players need to look to the veterans for advice and leadership. That part has been tough since we don’t have a lot of veterans. You feel for your teammates and want to help them. We are a family of 21 or 22 players with 12 rookies. All your stats don’t mean a hill of beans if you persevere through the hard times and get stronger.”

Chiarlitti says he likes and wants to be a leader.
 

“Like I said earlier, the trades opened the door for players like myself to take on a leadership role. I like to lead by example with a strong work ethic and how you perform on the ice.”
 

Sting head coach Dave MacQueen says Chiarlitti has the qualities to be a leader on the Sting.

“He’s one of those guys who cares more about the performance of the team rather that his own personal stats. I don’t know how many times he’s been in my office this year wondering what he can do to make us better. To me that shows a sign of character.”
 

MacQueen added, “Nathan has come a long way and yet he is still a young player. He’s played quality minutes against the top guys in the league. And trust me, he’s not a minus-37 player. That stat is a little deceiving.”
 

The Sting has six games remaining in the season including four home games. This week they host the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Thursday beginning at 7:35 p.m. at the RBC Centre. Friday night the team is in Guelph to battle the Storm and return home to take on the London Knights Saturday night, also at 7:35 p.m.
 

“It would be easy to pack it in over the next two weeks, but we don’t want to do that. It would be great to get a couple of wins against playoff-contending teams. We just have to keep battling,” Chiarlitti said.

Chiarlitti remains positive, especially for next season.
 

“This was just my second year with the team. We have a lot of good, young players in Brett Ritchie, Brandon Francisco and Craig Hottot. Once we have another good draft, we all can be in great shape for training camp and ice a competitive team.”

He added, “one thing I don’t want to do is be a minus-37 next year. That bothers me. I would trade all my goals and assists to improve that stat. But I also know it’s only one stat.”
 

One thing Chiarlitti will miss next season is associate coach Greg Walters. Walters is in charge of the defence.

“Wally is the best coach I’ve ever hard. He’s the main reason I got to play in the Under-17s, and got to play in the Under-18s. If I ever go anywhere in hockey it’s because of him. He taught me so much and I certainly have no regrets coming to Sarnia.”

He added,  “he showed my how to skate backwards properly. The little things like putting your stick in the lanes and moving the puck. He would sit down with video and explain things to me. Wally is a player’s coach and everyone is going to miss him.”
 

STING NOTES