SUMMERSIDE – Jacob Arsenault is confident he has found a permanent home.
The 19-year-old defenceman from Richmond made his debut with the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals of the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) on Saturday night.
“There have been a couple of times where I thought I was close to coming here, but obviously this time it worked out,” said Arsenault. “This is a team close to home that I have watched my whole life, so it’s pretty cool to get out there and play some hockey with a lot of my friends I grew up with. . . Hopefully, it will be the right fit.”
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The Caps are the fourth team Arsenault has been with after previously toiling with three Quebec Major Junior Hockey League teams.
Arsenault began training camp in August with the Moncton Wildcats and was traded to Sherbrooke, where he played eight regular-season games with the Phoenix, before he was claimed on waivers and appeared in 15 games for the Charlottetown Islanders.
“It’s been an interesting year,” said Arsenault in an interview with the Journal Pioneer. “It’s been a long year, but I think it’s going to be worth it here with the Caps now.”
Listed as six-foot-one and 185 pounds, the son of Brian and Tracy Arsenault is a second-generation Western Capital. Jacob’s father was a fan favourite with the Caps in the early 1990s.
“I just try to keep it simple, move the puck up the ice and make a good first pass,” said the younger Arsenault in describing his style. “I’m a simple defensive defenceman.”
Coach thrilled
Capitals head coach Billy McGuigan is thrilled with the addition of Arsenault.
“It’s almost like a gift at Christmas when you get a right-shot D when you have six left ones,” said McGuigan, who liked what he saw from Arsenault in his debut – a 6-1 win over the Amherst Ramblers.
“He played a physical game, was a good shut-down guy and he can also provide a little offence,” continued McGuigan. “We like his overall game, so it’s nice to have him.”
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Often times it is disappointing for players to move from major junior to junior A, but Arsenault is excited about the opportunity with the Capitals, who will take a 23-5-0 (won-lost-overtime losses) record into Thursday’s 7 p.m. start against the St. Stephen Aces (12-17-2) at Eastlink Arena.
“I want to play hockey, first of all, but it makes it that much easier to come here knowing you are going to have a chance to win hockey games,” said Arsenault. “That’s why we play – we play to win.”
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Arsenault made it clear he will do “anything” the Caps need.
“I want to bring everything,” he said. “If they need a physical guy, I will be physical; if they need somebody to put up some offence I will help that way, or if they want me in a shut-down role I will do that.”
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