From Junior A to QMJHL
Alex Arsenault scored their first goal in a win over Sherbrooke Phoenix on 7 February.
At the age of 16, Alex Arsenault was looking at other options, including American colleges, after being overlooked twice in the draft QMJHL. But an incredible season in the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) opened the doors to the Corteau circuit for him.
Alex Arsanault had played two seasons at Newbridge Academy, a private school located in Dartmouth, Halifax, a district in Nova Scotia. “In my first dwarf year, I was ranked 13 and later by Centrel. At the age of 16, my name was not on the list, “recalled the new huskies.
But Alex Arsenault was heading for other pits on his way. After her final year with Newbridge, the school closed. The native of Saint-Charles, who was always ready to continue his hockey career, then evaluated his options. “After my school was closed, the American way was a solution,” he said. But a call from Edmundston Blizzard replaced him. “This bandh gave me an opportunity with Edmundston. He showed interest and I decided to leave.
Explosion offensive
Alex Arsenault returned to New Brunswick with his Brian Bag. And things could not be better. In 52 games, when he was only 17, he exploded aggressively, collecting 18 goals and 17 assists. “Coach liked me. He gave me my chance and I took this opportunity. There are some players who played in the QMJHL who were on the team and who helped me improve, ”said the New Brunswick skater.
These performances fell in the eyes of some teams on the Corteau circuit. He said, ‘Three or four teams approached me, but Drakar was the most interested team. His general manager came to see me in Edmondston, ”the young man revealed.
To secure Arsenault’s services, Bai-Komu Drakkar had him selected in the 10th round, in the 184th echelon. Had the Cote-Nord team not made this choice, Arsenault would have been considered a free agent and could have joined the team he wanted. “I was really proud to draft. It rewarded all my efforts. I was with my family and friends and I will not forget this moment, ”he said.
A first exchange
On January 20, Alex Arsenault and a 4th round pick are traded to the Huskies in exchange for Alex Labbe and a 10th-place pick. “I was in shock because it shocked me,” he admitted.
But in Ruyin-Noranda, he found a delegation of maritimes players. “Ever since I arrived, the adaptation has been good. We are a big group of people. It helped that I knew some players, ”he said.
In fifteen games with the pack, the number 13 has already hit the target twice, in addition to adding passes. It brings their points to 7 from 29 matches in their first season. “Ever since I started with Huskies, it has been going very well. I did not expect to play that much time. I work hard and with the time of snow, I am improving, ”he said.
Alex Arsenault has already achieved the toughest: making a place in the QMJHL. His next challenge is equally important: being there. “Let’s say, I’m not an attacker with great size, but I have speed and I have to use it.” I see myself as a two-way striker. I have to play well defensively to be effective.