Born in
Fort William (now
Thunder Bay),
Ontario, Chorney played four successful seasons of college hockey at the
University of North Dakota. He was named to the
NCAA All-Tournament team in 1980, and two first All Star teams in 1981. He began his playing career with the
Pittsburgh Penguins who drafted him in the sixth round of the
1979 NHL entry draft. Chorney was traded to the
Los Angeles Kings for a sixth round choice (Stuart Marston) in the
1985 NHL entry draft. After spending a season with the Kings, he was signed by the
Washington Capitals but failed to earn a spot on the roster. ==Personal life==