SHAUN
ARVAI
Alabama-Huntsville
Sr. | D | West Lorne, Ontario
Arvai plays bigger than his 5-foot-10, 170-pound
frame would suggest.
Key Statistics: 67 percent,
representing Arvai's increase in point production last
season (2-18 —20) compared to the numbers he totalled
in his first two seasons with the Chargers (3-9 —12
in 55 games).
What He Does: Alabama-Huntsville assistant
coach Lance West says that if you asked members of last
year's Charger squad for their opinions on the team's
best defenseman, the majority would choose Arvai. That's
quite a statement considering the club boasted two stalwarts
on the blueline in Jeremy Schreiber and Jeff Winchester.
Despite measuring in at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Arvai
is a warrior who's not afraid to put his body on the
line, makes smart decisions with the puck and developed
into a fine power-play quarterback last season.
The Bigger Picture: The senior blueline
trio of Arvai, A.J. Larivee and Mike Salekin will be
crucial to Alabama-Huntsville's success this season.
In the tightly bunched CHA, a measly goal or two can
mean the difference between finishing in second or fourth.
Case in point: Last season, the Chargers outscored foes
by a total of two goals (105-103), and that was with
all-CHA first-team selection Schreiber, Winchester and
goalie Scott Munroe, the CHA co-player of the year,
in the lineup. Returning netminders Marc Narduzzi, a
junior, and sophomore Jordan Erickson have combined
for a touch more than 360 minutes of career playing
time. Freshman Corey Milan, who ranked third in the
British Columbia Hockey League with a 2.34 GAA for the
Penticton Vees last season, will definitely compete
for playing time. Still, the defensive corps will play
a huge role in determining how smooth the transition
in goal goes.
Alabama-Huntsville assistant coach
Lance West on Arvai: "Most guys will tell
you that you can win with a good defense and average
forwards. Not many teams win with an average defense
and good forwards. There will be a lot of pressure on
our defense to help build our goalies' confidence early.
[Arvai] will set the tone for us.”
