KENSINGTON – The Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild welcomed back a familiar face at practice Wednesday night.
Forward Colby MacArthur of Summerside rejoined the New Brunswick/P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League team after starting the 2018-19 season with the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals of the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League).
“It’s a big boost,” said Wild head coach Kyle Dunn in a phone interview with the Journal Pioneer on Thursday morning. “Colby is a smart hockey player, there is no doubt about it. He’ll probably play centre and you might see him on the right wing, but for the most part I have him pencilled in as a centreman.”
Dunn confirmed MacArthur, who had one assist in seven regular-season games with the Caps, will be in the lineup this weekend. Kensington, which is 4-1-1 (won-lost-overtime losses), hosts the Saint John Vitos (4-4-0) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and visits the undefeated Moncton Flyers (7-0-0) on Sunday afternoon.
MacArthur, who is in his third year with the Wild, registered 41 points – 17 goals and 24 assists – in 35 regular-season games last year. He then averaged two points a game in the provincial major midget championship series against Charlottetown, recording 10 points, including three goals, in five games.
“Colby makes us that much deeper down the middle, and adds more offence,” said Dunn. “We will be able to roll four lines, and come at teams in waves. . . I had a chat with him at practice (Wednesday), and he's excited to come back. He’s not looking at it that he took a step back.
“He wants to play hockey, he wants to produce and put up points. He has some friends here, and it’s going to be an exciting time for him. As an organization, we are definitely excited to have him back.”
And so are his teammates.
“We just got Colby MacArthur back, and he will be good for our team,” added Wild rookie forward Isaac Wilson.
MacArthur’s signing leaves the Wild with one open card. Dunn confirmed the team has 11 forwards, six defencemen and two goaltenders signed.
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