‘Proved herself as a leader, both on and off the ice’

For some talents, hockey tryouts are a formality — a warm-up before the real action begins. For others, it’s a nerve-wracking grind to qualify for one of the last spots on a roster.

For Vincent Massey Trojans forward Ella Arnal, it was cathartic.

The 17-year-old was simply happy to be playing again after 18 months away from the ice to rehab a torn ACL and meniscus in her right knee. While there’s no good time to suffer a major injury, this one felt particularly cruel, as it came one month after Arnal had been selected to a AAA squad for the first time.

Now Arnal, who has been a standout at every level her entire hockey career, was staring at a long rehab for the first time with no guarantee that she’d return to that level.

“It was difficult, because I’ve been playing hockey since I was little, and having that taken away from me was heartbreaking, because it’s all I really ever wanted to do,” Arnal said. “I had to sit and watch my friends play on the old team that I was supposed to play, but I just used it to get myself back and work on my game.”

Arnal shot pucks in her driveway each day to maintain a strong shot. She also kept her mind sharp by doing a play-by-play analysis for her dad of what she saw and how she would’ve attacked defenders at her brother’s games.

“It was the best that I could have done in the situation,” she said.

When AAA tryouts rolled around for this season, Arnal was still in the late stages of strengthening her knee and quickly ruled herself out.

She pivoted to her high school team and Trojans’ head coach Leah Hibbert, who welcomed her to try out even though Arnal still wasn’t cleared for contact.

Somehow, the tenacious Arnal impressed.

“It was difficult, because I’ve been playing hockey since I was little, and having that taken away from me was heartbreaking, because it’s all I really ever wanted to do.”

“Going into it, when she first asked me, I didn’t really know anything about her in the hockey sense,” said Hibbert. “I knew her as a student, and I knew that she was a great student, a great person all around, and I heard that she was a great hockey player, but I didn’t really know how good she was until our season started.”

Arnal went on to score 30 times and add 19 assists in 23 regular-season contests in her return, leading the Manitoba Women’s High School Hockey League’s top division in points and helping drive the Trojans to a league-best 21-2 record.

Arnal was named the Free Press’ top high school varsity girls’ player by a panel of coaches for her remarkable season.

“We also ended up naming her an assistant captain this year, which is obviously an accomplishment in and of itself, especially when it was her first year on the team,” said Hibbert.

“But right off the hop, she kind of proved herself as a leader, both on and off the ice. She was someone who spoke up when it was needed, but also led by example on the ice, and the girls really listen to her when she talks.”

Arnal has remained a force in the playoffs, where she has seven goals and eight points in four contests. The Trojans are searching for their second league title in program history, and first since the MWHSHL was formed in 1996-97.

“Throughout the whole process, I told myself that I probably wouldn’t get back to AAA this year, because I wanted to be realistic,” Arnal said.

“So I knew in the back of my mind that I would have to play a different level, and I was worried that no matter what tryout it was, I wouldn’t be able to perform to my fullest — because I was limited in my tryouts — and I was very grateful that Hibbert let me do what I could and almost took a chance on me.”

Arnal did it all in her return to the ice, contributing on the power play and penalty kill while playing big minutes. Hibbert said she moved Arnal up and down the lineup in the first half of the season as they searched for a winning combination on every line and, without fail, it was Arnal’s line that consistently produced.

“She’s one of those players that I know I can put her out in any situation, and she will excel,” Hibbert said. “One of the biggest things about her is her hockey IQ and her ability to make plays and come in clutch when it’s needed, but her work ethic is almost unmatched. She shows up to every practice. She gives 110 per cent at every practice, every shift. So that kind of gives me the confidence to put her out in every situation.”

If her comeback story wasn’t impressive enough, Arnal said she is still working to regain full strength in her knee. That will come with time, but in the meantime, she seems to be doing just fine.

“It’s not just about the points or whatever, it’s about our whole team. Every single girl plays for the person next to them, and not for themselves, and it’s very inspiring to be a part of because you can see that we’re a team, and we’re not just a team, as in players, but our coaches, they lead us to work together, and they’re a part of our team. It’s amazing to see how we all work together and celebrate each other’s goals. It’s just so great to be a part of that,” Arnal said.

“It felt great to be recognized and have my coach want me to help lead the team, especially since it’s my first year. I don’t know, just, I was so grateful that I could have this opportunity.”

 

Free Press top 10 high school varsity girls’ hockey players

A list compiled with voting from a panel of coaches

 

1. Ella Arnal, forward

Vincent Massey Trojans, Grade 12

Stats: 30 goals, 19 assists, 49 points

Profile: Finished the regular season with the most goals in Division ½ West and the most points of the Manitoba Women’s High School Hockey League. A highly skilled forward who is tough to defend.

 

2. Braya Kapusta, forward

Dakota Lancers, Grade 12

Stats: 39 goals, 9 assists, 48 points

Profile: Finished the regular season with the most goals of the Manitoba Women’s High School Hockey League.

A constant scoring threat whenever she has the puck.

 

3. Halle Penner, forward

Sanford Sabres, Grade 12

Stats: 23 goals, 14 assists, 37 points

Profile: A powerful forward with a keen offensive instinct.

A reliable goal scorer who demands attention whenever she’s on the ice.

 

4. Cali Lavallee, forward

West Kildonan Wolverines, Grade 11

Stats: 36 goals, 12 assists, 48 points

Profile: One of the Division 1/2 points leaders. She is a skilled player who has the ability to make everyone else around her better. Both an offensive and defensive player, Cali leads by example both on and off the ice.

5. Mikalah Grant, forward

Sanford Sabres, Grade 12

Stats: 15 goals, 22 assists, 37 points

Profile: A playmaker who elevates the game of those around her.

She is also a reliable goal scorer.

 

6. Delainey Rigaux, forward

Glenlawn Lions, Grade 12

Stats: 30 goals, 17 assists, 47 points

Profile: She dominates every game and every shift, often the first to backcheck in the defensive zone.

Competing hard but clean, she plays fiercely between whistles.

 

7. Vayda Rigaux, defence

Glenlawn Lions, Grade 12

Stats: 26 goals, 19 assists, 45 points

Profile: One of the league’s top defenders, she dominates every game, controlling the backend with smooth skating and elite passing.

A clean, respectful player, she is a threat both offensively and defensively.

 

8. Callie Pinkerton, goalie

Oak Park Raiders, Grade 11

Stats: 1.89 goals-against average, .936 save percentage, 3 shutouts

Profile: She wins games almost single-handedly, facing twice as many shots as the goalies ranked above her.

With three shutouts, she proves herself as a top-tier goalie.

 

9. Neve Cockerill, forward

J.H. Bruns Broncos, Grade 12

Stats: 34 goals, 12 assists, 46 points

Profile: She has wicked hands and can elude even the best players.

She uses speed and finesse to make it look effortless.

 

10. Livia Buoncore, forward

Vincent Massey Trojans, Grade 10

Stats: 16 goals, 19 assists, 35 points

Profile: She had a very successful season as the team’s assistant captain.

She also ranked high in the stats, contributing significantly on the ice.

 

Honourable mentions: Kaylee Robbins (Jeanne-Sauvé Olympiens, Goalie, Grade 9); Bree Farmer (Churchill Bulldogs, Forward, Grade 9); Nina Bowes, (St. John’s-Ravenscourt Eagles, Forward, Grade 12); Maddie Stoller (St. John’s-Ravenscourt Eagles, Forward, Grade 12)

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