Chuck Kobasew was born April 17, 1982 in Osoyoos, British Columbia. The 1st choice, 14th overall selection of the Calgary Flames in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Kobasew is a graduate of the BCJHL where he was a First Team All-Star in 2000 as well as the Interior Division MVP. Following two solid seasons in the BCJHL with Penticton, Kobasew spent one year at Boston College where he was a Hockey East Second Team All-Star, the Hockey East Rookie of the Year, a member of the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team and the NCAA Championship Tournament MVP while leading Boston College to the 2001 NCAA Championship.



Even with all the success he had with Boston College in his Freshman year, Kobasew felt he would be better off joining the WHL's Kelowna Rockets in 2001-02. The Osoyoos, British Columbia native spent one season with Kelowna before making his professional debut in 2002-03. In his rookie season with the Flames, Kobasew played in 23 games while seeing most of his action with the team's AHL affiliate in Saint John where he registered 33 points (21-12-33) in 48 games before becoming earning a regular roster spot in 2003-04. On the international stage, Kobasew was a member of Canada's 2002 World Junior Champioship Silver Medal team.