By Tim Ubels (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: November 20, 2013
The Abbotsford Heat players voted, coming to the conclusion that Dean Arsene will be the one to have the “C” stitched on his jersey for the 2013-2014 season.
Chosen in the middle of a five-game winning streak, it was clear that the players were finally familiar enough to make a decision on their leader. The team wasn’t in any rush to name a new captain at the start of the season, contenting themselves with the choice of forwards Paul Byron, Carter Bancks, and Greg Nemisz as alternate captains.
But before the Heat hit the ice against the Marlies on Saturday, they announced that the 33-year-old Arsene would serve as the fifth captain in franchise history, with Bancks and Byron as permanent alternates. Arsene is the first Heat defenceman to be given the honour.
If you haven’t been paying attention to the Heat this season, you may be unfamiliar with Arsene, as he is a new addition to the roster. What does he bring to the lineup in terms of leadership, character, and stability? On a team chock full of rookies and new acquisitions, Arsene stands out as an obvious choice with his veteran prowess and tough style of play. He’s known for his ruggedness and for keeping the game simple on his own side of centre.
The stay-at-home defenceman landed a tryout with the Abbotsford Heat during training camp, after the two-time Calder Cup winner decided he wanted to return to his hometown of Abbotsford. However, due to the Flames’ rebuilding plans, Arsene had to wait until training camp was about to start before he got a 25-game professional tryout contract from the team. Needless to say, he’s earned his keep and will play a pivotal role stabilizing the team’s young defensive players. He knows the Heat are in need of solid, veteran experience, and Arsene offers that and more with strong play in his own end.
Being voted captain by his teammates demonstrates the tremendous confidence the club has in the newly acquired Arsene to represent them both on and off the ice. “It’s huge. It’s a dream come true just playing here in Abbotsford,” Arsene explained to the media after the win against the Marlies on Saturday. “To have the C, it’s just the cherry on top.”
“He’s been a leader on most every team he’s been around,” Coach Troy G. Ward explained. “I think he has a good feel for the temperature of his teammates and how he plays.”
This is already the fifth time he’s been named a captain in the AHL, wearing the “C” previously for the Hershey Bears (2006-08), Springfield Falcons (2009-10), Peoria Rivermen (2010-11), and Portland Pirates (2011-12). Ward noted Arsene’s 12-year AHL career, adding that Arsene is a “consummate leader.”
The Heat are currently on a seven-game road trip, but will return home to play back-to-back games with the Utica Comets at the end of November. Until then, you can tune into CIVL 101.7 FM to catch the Heat in action.
