BROOKS, AB (May 7, 2016) – The Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) are excited to announce that 1998-born forward Arnaud Vachon (Ajax, ON) has committed to play for the organization, beginning in the 2016-17 AJHL season.
Vachon, 17, has just completed his second year at The Hill Academy in Concord, Ontario. This past season, in 62 games played, Vachon scored 100 points (42 goals, 58 assists) in 62 games, while serving as one of the team’s alternate captains. Hill Academy reached the East Coast Elite League (ECEL) final, where the 6’2”, 194lb forward was named game MVP.
“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to work with Arnaud and have him wear the Bandits jersey,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou. “He was a highly sought-after forward that has scoring ability and plays a powerful game.
“We have a great relationship with his family,” he added, “and believe he is a future key player for us with the impending departure of so many great forwards.”
In 2014-15, Vachon scored 54 points (26 goals, 28 assists) in 64 games in his first year with Hill Academy, and prior to that suited up for the minor midget AAA Ajax-Pickering Raiders, where he scored 41 points (18 goals, 23 assists) in 61 games.
“After my weekend spent in Brooks, I quickly realized this was the best organization and community for me to develop as a complete hockey player,” said Vachon. “This will help me pursue my NCAA objective.”
Vachon is the third new player committed to the Bandits for the 2016-17 campaign, joining 1997-born forward Oliver Chau (Oakville, ON) and 1997-born defenceman Josh Gagne (Caledon, ON).