‘I have more confidence’: Martin Chromiak Reflects on His Season of Growth

What a difference a year makes.

A year ago, Martin Chromiak was in his third season with the Ontario Reign. The then-third-year pro hit rock bottom, going 16 games without a goal and being healthy-scratched for a game. Once considered a possible diamond in the rough in a prospect pool that was considered to be rich with talent, Chromiak’s value started to fade.

Through all the struggles, his former coach, Marco Sturm, never lost faith in him. “That was huge for me,” Chromiak said about Sturm not losing faith in him. “I felt like I was playing well. I couldn’t score. I was getting to the net and getting the chances, but wasn’t getting the right bounces.”

Hockey, like any sport, is demanding both mentally and physically. When you’re on fire, you’re at the top of the mountain. When you’re at your lows, players sometimes tend to grip the stick tighter. For Chromiak, it was the latter.

“Yeah,” Chromiak stated if he felt he was gripping the stick tight during his slump. “Maybe you’re thinking about it more because you want to help your team win games. When it’s a tie game with the puck on your stick, you want to get the job done. The best option is to not think about it, keep doing what you are doing, and hopefully, [the puck] will go in eventually.”

Suddenly, a change occurred. In a road game against the Tucson Roadrunners on March 12t, 2024, Sturm juggled the line combinations in the third period, and as a result, moved Chromiak to a line with veterans Glenn Gawdin and Charles Hudon. The move didn’t pay dividends right off the bat, but in the following game, Chromiak’s hot stretch began.

In 16 games, Chromiak registered 15 points (7 G, 8 A) and looked rejuvenated. He was effective and noticeable every game, something that was missing for most of the season. Looking back on it, it gave Chormiak a chance not only to play with two of the team’s leaders but also to absorb information.

“It was great. I was playing with the leaders on the team. I felt like I was one of them. I felt like I was one of the leaders, and I needed to be at my best to help the team win. I think that’s when I’m at my best, when I know I’m feeling like a leader, so I think that was huge and I tried to bring it this season, too,” Chromiak said. “They’re both great players. They played a lot of AHL games, so I tried to learn a lot from them and watch what they do. They would talk to me a lot, and that helped.”

It was that stretch that earned Chromiak a one-year deal a month before free agency. Having a contract and knowing he was coming back provided a huge sense of relief for the 23-year-old.

“I love it here. There wasn’t any other option in my mind. I wanted to come back here,” said Chromiak, knowing the one-year deal meant he would stick around for the 2025-26 season.

Although he didn’t live up to expectations for most of 2024-25, his late-season play provided a confidence boost heading into the summer, where he knew he had to bring it from the beginning of the season. And bring it he has.

Chromiak has played in all but one game for the Reign and has set new AHL highs in goals (19), assists (22), points (41), and power-play goals (8).  He is also in the top five on the team in five-on-five goals with 10. Known for his hard shot when drafted, Chromiak used to be shy to show off that tool, but hasn’t this season. Everything has seemed to click for him, thanks to having more confidence.

“In my fourth year, I have more confidence, get more ice time, and basically play more. I think I’m just sticking with it because of how I finished last season,” the forward said. 

Now that the offense has finally come around, the young forward also mentioned he’s not satisfied with setting new highs across the board, but also wants to evolve his overall game.

“I’m still young, learning a lot, and trying to improve every aspect of my game,” he said.

From a forgotten commodity to maybe a potential call-up. It’s amazing how things can flip on a dime.

Featured image credit: Christopher Mora/Ontario Reign

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