Steven Arp's Western Hockey League career is well underway as the Swan River native has played four regular-season games with the Medicine Hat Tigers after he signed a standard player agreement with the team late last month.
Arp played both games this past weekend and has suited up in three of the team's last four contests as they now prepare for a home-and-home with the Swift Current Broncos. The team is 4-4-0-1 and that has them in third place in the highly competitive Central Division.
"Things are going great now, I'm getting into the groove of things," said Arp. "It's a great feeling getting into the lineup on a more consistent basis so all is good."
Arp admits making the jump up from AAA hockey to the WHL has been tough at times but he's continuing to build confidence and now, he has his first goal in the WHL. In a 6-2 win against the Prince Albert Raiders back on October 22, Arp tallied his first goal in the league and he says he blacked out after the puck went into the net.
"It's unreal, it feels surreal," said Arp. "It's sort of sunk in now and I just want to keep it going. I want to get some more and we'll see where things go from here."
A former all-star with the Parkland Rangers program, Arp's dream came true when he signed his contract with Medicine Hat.
"We go to the rink in the morning and we come home at night, it's pretty much all hockey," said Arp. "This is what I grew up dreaming of, it's a pretty special feeling."
Steven was also very very impressive in the faceoff circle, winning 10 of the 15 draws he took in that 6-2 win. His first-ever goal and 10 faceoff wins for his team, it was certainly a night that he won't ever forget.
