Opportunity knocks
MacArthur has stepped right into Western Capitals’ lineup, represented MHL in two major events
It has been a year of special experiences and opportunities for Colby MacArthur.
The 18-year-old Summerside native is in his first full season with his hometown D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals and said he’s loving it so far.
“It was a great experience to play with the best junior A players from Canada. If I wasn’t playing for the Caps, I would not have had these chances and I have to thank my coaches, teammates and the whole organization.”
Colby MacArthur
SUMMERSIDE – It has been a year of special experiences and opportunities for Colby MacArthur.
The 18-year-old Summerside native is in his first full season with his hometown D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals and said he's loving it so far.
“We are a close group and we are all focused on team success and hoping to win it all," said MacArthur.
Along with the playing with the Maritime Junior Hockey League’s (MHL) top team, which will take a 34-6-2 (wonlost-overtime losses) record into Saturday night’s road game against the Miramichi Timberwolves (11-26-4), MacArthur has had the opportunity to represent the Caps in two special events.
He and rookie Caps’ defenceman Zach Biggar of Springhill returned home with a silver medal with Team Canada
East from the World Junior A Hockey Challenge in Dawson Creek, B.C., in December and he recently participated in the Canadian Junior Hockey League/National Hockey League Prospects Game on Jan. 14 in Hamilton, Ont.
“It was a great experience to play with the best junior A players from Canada,” said MacArthur. “If I wasn’t playing for the Caps, I would not have had these chances and I have to thank my coaches, teammates and the whole organization.”
NEW POSITION
Another opportunity presented to MacArthur this year is playing a new position.
“There has been a little transition playing on the right-wing as he’s played centre most of his life and is a natural centre,” said Caps head coach Billy McGuigan, who added MacArthur is a big part of the Caps’ future. “He’s been a great player for us this year and coming into it we knew he was going to be a great player. I expect that lots of NCAA teams are looking at him now.”
MacArthur, a territorial pick of the Capitals in 2018, has maintained his United States college eligibility and added he would like to eventually play university hockey at either the NCAA or Atlantic University Sport levels.
“I want to play with the Caps as long as I can and see what happens,” said MacArthur, who doesn’t have far to look when he needs advice.
His older brother, Brodie, is the captain of the Caps and is 11 points away from becoming the all-time scoring leader in the MHL regular season history.
This is the first year the sons of Rodney and Kim MacArthur have been teammates in their careers and Colby is thrilled to have a front-row seat for Brodie becoming the Caps’ all-time leading scorer in December and now chasing league history.
“It’s awesome to play with him,” said Colby. “He’s a really good player and I’ve looked up to him my whole life.”
Colby did acknowledge he and Brodie play different styles.
“He’s a point-getter and has led the league the past two years (in scoring),” said Colby. “I’m more of a two-way (player) where I can put up some numbers, but not like him.
“I want to take care of the defence and if the offence is there I will take it. When he gets the puck he’s dangerous.”
GOT A TASTE
MacArthur got a taste of junior A hockey last year as he picked up two assists in 11 regularseason games with the Caps before returning for his third and final year with the Kensington Wild of the New Brunswick/ Prince Edward Island Major Midget Hockey League. MacArthur had 56 points, including 21 goals, in 29 regular-season games with the Wild.
“I was having fun with the Caps, but I knew going back to the Wild with Dunner (head coach Kyle Dunn), Trixie (assistant coach Duane Richards), Mike (Gallant, team owner), Gonzo (equipment manager David Bernard) and all the guys was a great opportunity to get some confidence back and I had a great year,” said MacArthur. “I loved it there.”
MacArthur, who added his experience with the Caps helped his transition this year, also became the Wild’s franchise all-time leading scorer last season. He finished with 108 regular-season points in 99 games over three seasons.
“He’s a guy who is a natural talent,” said Dunn. “You talk to him and he’s a jokester, but when you watch him in the dressing room and preparing for a game he’s focused and ready.
“He’s a guy who hates losing more than he likes winning. He’s going to be successful.”