Cheechoo train runs out of steam

From National Hockey League sniper and scoring champ to minor leaguer, life has changed for Moose Cree band member Jonathan Cheechoo.
The past year was a tumultuous one for the one-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner, several seasons removed from posting goal totals of 56, 37 and 23.
He played in 61 games for the Ottawa Senators in the 2009-2010 season and notched 14 points.
The final year of Cheechoo’s contract was bought out by the team June 29.
Cheechoo was set to make $3.5 million in the 2010-2011 season. Buyouts are typically worth two-thirds of the contract value.
“Jonathan is a quality person and hockey player,” Senators general manager Bryan Murray said to NHL.com in June. “We hoped that things would have worked out with the Senators. In the best interest of us both, we have decided to move on. We wish him all the best.”
The buyout made Cheechoo a free agent but he failed to catch on with an NHL team this fall.
He is still looking for a shot in the NHL. He signed a tryout contract with the Dallas Stars Sept. 4 but was cut Sept. 26 before the end of training camp.
“He’s a good player, he’s played well but you’ve got to be better than the people that we’ve got in the top positions,” Stars coach Marc Crawford told ESPN. “No disrespect, but our guys in the top positions said to us that no one is taking our spot. You really have to outplay somebody. It’s unfortunate, but that’s where it is.”
Cheechoo is currently playing with the San Jose Sharks American Hockey League affiliate in Providence, R.I.
He said he still loves the game and wants to go back to the NHL.
“I feel I can still play at a high level. As long as that desire is there for me I’ll play. For sure I’ll know when I’m done. You sense it anyways and my biggest supporters will let me know. I want to have the passion to contribute at the level I expect of me.”
Cheechoo said he is working harder than ever to earn that chance.
“I think you got to look at it like there’s only 700 or so spots open in the NHL. How am I going to set myself apart from others? The same way I did when I was breaking in. Physical fitness, extra drills, shoot some more pucks, work on my release. It’s those little extras you can do will help you where you want to go and that’s not just in hockey, but in life.”
With files from Philip Paul-Martin, Native Hockey News