HUMBOLDT — On every hockey team, there are players whose contributions are underrated by outsiders.
For the Humboldt Broncos, forward Reid Arnold and defenceman Kade Olsen are two of those players. However, Humboldt head coach Scott Barney said the team knows how important the pair of second-year players are.
“They are a lot more valuable than people can see on the outside,” Barney said before the season began. “They are a big part of our success. What they bring every game is important for us and important for our young guys to watch.”
The head coach described both as being responsible, possessing attention to detail, and having great character. Barney said they are willing to sacrifice for the team, whether it is making a big block or taking a hit to make a play.
They often play against the opposition’s top players. They play a lot on the penalty kill and are also deployed in such crucial situations as a key faceoff in the defensive zone. Barney said their performances in those situations “don’t always show on the stat sheet. They are as valuable as a guy scoring three goals.”
Arnold and Olsen are looked upon as example setters. Arnold’s leadership role is a bit more formalized as he has been named an assistant captain for this season.
“The best way I lead is with my actions on and off the ice,” Arnold said.
Both Arnold and Olsen have taken on larger offensive roles in their second campaigns with the Broncos. Arnold, a Yorkton product who turns 19 in October, has scored two goals and recorded three points in seven games so far this season. As a rookie, he posted four goals and 12 points in 58 games. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Arnold is a gritty player who is strong on faceoffs.
Olsen, an 18-year-old from Saskatoon, had three assists through seven games. The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder is close to surpassing the five assists and five points he had in 48 games a season ago. Barney said Olsen has a good stick and makes a good first pass.
Arnold and Olsen are glad to be Broncos.
“What I enjoy most about playing for the Broncos is playing in front of the great fans we have in our city,” said Arnold, who billets with Trevor and Nancy Baert. “We are lucky to have a community that comes out and supports the team.”
