Klippers keep things in the family with new addition
By Jordan Parker
The Kindersley Klippers have a penchant for bringing familiar faces aboard, and their recent acquisition is no different.
The Klippers took on Cash Arnsten from the La Ronge Ice Wolves, who will add some grit to their lineup as they head into the regular season.
Son to Cheyenne, Arnsten now joins his father’s legacy as a Klipper, as his dad played two years and racked up 85 points in 1993-1995.
“We were looking for toughness. His dad was one of the first Klippers, and we saw something in him,” Assistant Coach Mitch Topkina said.
“We figured he could help this lineup and be what we need. So we made the move, brought him in, and he’s looked great.”
The Hilbig brothers – Tylin and Ethan – make three second-generation players on the current roster. Patriarch Blain played with Cheyenne in 93-94, racking up 15 points and 270 penalty minutes.
“This is a physical league, and we need to play with an edge where it counts. We need to have that little bit of extra hard work,” said Topinka.
“To see these pieces come together and how great it is to have this kind of atmosphere is incredible. To have Cash, Tylin and Ethan show how long this team has been around. It’s cool to see kids following in their parents’ footsteps.”
Arnsten – of Dinsmore, SK – was last with the Swift Current Legionnaires U18 AAA team and was Captain last season.
“This will help me progress. I scored a fair amount last year, and if I keep playing hard, I thrive in front of the net. It will help.”
“This will give me a chance to show what I can do. I can be physical, block shots, and get to the net,” he said. “The SJHL is a hard league; there’s a lot of pushing. They have speed and skill, and I hope I can bring something in. I can stick up for my teammates.”
He says it’s really great to be able to be a part of the Klippers, where his father began.
“It’s so neat. It’s special to play where he played. I don’t know if I’ll ever put up the numbers he did, but he played a different style of game,” he said.
“I’ve been here since Sunday. I knew a few guys from when I played in Swift Current. It’s a friendly team, and they’re a great group.”
He met the Hilbigs early on when playing in junior leagues, but they’re now becoming closer off the ice.
“They were always hard to play against. If you have guys who play the same way, it makes the chemistry easier,” he said. “I think it will be a good match to be on a team with them.”
Overall, Arnsten is just excited to show this team what he’s made of.
“I’m just happy the Klippers wanted me, traded for me, and not I have the opportunity.”
The Klippers are coming off an overtime winner 4-3 in Melfort, in front of a crowd of 428 people.
Goalie Matthew Pesenti managed 40 saves on 43 shots, and goals came from Jaxon Georget, Ethan King, Aidan Bangs, and an unassisted overtime winner from Noah Lindsay.
They look ahead to a double-header against the rival Battlefords North Stars this weekend.
“We have some work to do. This is a rivalry weekend, and when you’re playing home opener, you want to be a spoiler and win,” said Assistant Coach Topinka.
“I’m expecting a bit of nastiness from this game. But we need to play our style, have speedy transitions and score off the rush.”
The team is still looking at discipline and how that can help them win.
“We can get physical, but we need to stay out of the box. We are better 5-on-5. It would be great to knock Battleford off their high horse.”
Cash Arnsten - Photo courtesy Kindersley Klippers
