SUMMERSIDE – Three members of the Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild were selected in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Draft on Saturday.
Forward Marc Richard of Clinton went in the 11th round, 187th overall, to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, goaltender Chad Arsenault of St. Raphael was taken by the Charlottetown Islanders in the 12th round, 208th overall, and defenceman Will Proud of Stratford was selected by the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the 13th round, 230th overall.
“I met with them a couple of weeks ago, and I was really pleased with their program as they explained it to me,” Richard told the Journal Pioneer on Sunday. “I’m excited to get things going with them.”
In 35 regular-season games in his rookie campaign with the Wild in the New Brunswick/P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League, the 15-year-old Richard had nine goals, 20 assists and 29 points.
“It was definitely a good year, one of my better years in hockey,” said Richard. “It was a good learning experience to see what the higher levels of hockey is like.”
The five-foot-11 and 155-pound Richard is looking forward to attending the Screaming Eagles’ training camp.
“I was drafted a little late, so I would like to prove I could have been drafted a little bit higher and that they got a good pick,” said Richard, who is thrilled he was drafted by a team in the Maritimes.
“It’s a pretty big relief,” added Richard. “Cape Breton is pretty close to home. I’m happy with where I got picked by.”
Sports Editor’s Note: The Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Pride of the New Brunswick/P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League also had three players drafted in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on Saturday. A story on the Pride’s Cole Larkin, Ed McNeill and Erik MacInnis, along with fellow Prince Edward Islander Keiran Gallant, who was also drafted, will be published in Tuesday’s Journal Pioneer.
Click here for story on Charlie DesRoches of Days Corner signing with Saint John Sea Dogs:
Excited
Arsenault said he was excited to learn he had been drafted by the Islanders.
“It’s a great spot, it’s close to home and it’s a first-class organization,” said the 16-year-old from St. Raphael, just outside of Wellington.
Arsenault, who is five-foot-five and 155 pounds, put up phenomenal numbers in his first season with the Wild. He had a record of 16-1-1 (won-lost-overtime losses) in 18 regular-season games while sporting a microscopic 2.04 goals-against average and a league-leading .934 save percentage.
“It was a good season, really fun,” said Arsenault. “Things got better as we went. I had a good team in front of me, and I feel I played pretty good for a first-year (player).”
Click here for story on three Charlottetown Pride players drafted in QMJHL Draft:
Arsenault, however, continuously drew praise from the Wild coaches throughout the season for his work ethic in both games and practices.
“I just wanted to work hard, focusing on what I need to work on to get better at, and just really putting in the work to be ready for game time,” added Arsenault, who is planning on attending the Islanders’ training camp in August.
Wasn’t sure
Proud admitted he also was “pretty excited” to be drafted, but admitted he wasn’t really sure what to expect going into the draft.
“Then to see your name on the computer screen, it was a pretty exciting moment,” said the five-foot-10, 145-pound Proud, who had nine assists in 34 regular-season games.
Proud said the Voltigeurs had shown interest in him leading up to the draft.
“I talked to them earlier in the week,” he continued. “It was a pretty good conversation with them. If I was going to get drafted I thought they may be the team.”
Proud, who describes himself as a “defensive defenceman,” described his first year with the Wild as a lot of fun.
“The team had a lot of success (winning its third straight and fourth provincial title in five years),” said Proud. “It was a great group of guys and great coaches to be around.”
When asked about his future, Proud acknowledged he would like to pursue the major junior route.
“If I can make that happen that’s what I want to do,” said Proud.
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