Chesley was given the “C” in what turned out to be his final year in the NCAA with the University of Minnesota. He was relied upon more for his offense than in previous seasons, resulting in 20 points in 40 games. Chesley also managed to set a career high in penalty minutes with 48. After his season finished he signed a three-year ELC with the Capitals that is set to begin in 2025-26. He finished the 2024-25 campaign on an ATO with the Hershey Bears, where he produced three points in four regular-season games, but did not play in the postseason. Chesley has a high probability to make the NHL, but it may take time to get there as the Capitals let the prospects stew in the Bears’ system as long as possible.

While being on a good NCAA team, Chesley plays a solid shut-down and two-way transition role for the team. He somehow regressed in statistical numbers, going from 10 points to eight points in a handful more games. While Chesley can produce, with his role on this team it is hard to see. Coaches will love a player like Chesley as he can play any role you need, but perhaps is not the best suited to run a power play.

Chesley was again on Team USA for the World Junior Championship as the team won gold at the tournament. Chesley was one of the teams’ top defensemen and registered four points in seven games.

Chesley will return to the University of Minnesota for 2023-24, and is once again an option for Team USA at the World Junior Championship. Chesley will hope to improve on his 10 points in 36 games last season. Chesley still looks like a future NHLer but his scoring ability for fantasy may be in question, unless he shows progress soon.

The University of Minnesota is a team chalk full on NHL draftees and with most being older Chesley is used more in a middle to bottom pairing defenseman role. He only has seven points in 30 games, and had just one assist in seven WJC games, but that is not overly indicative of his future offense potential but more a product of where he is used. His offense potential is not through the roof or anything but if he was allowed more ice time, and played more in the offense zone, he would have better numbers. Chesley still projects as a very solid two-way defenseman in the future.