This story appears in the current issue of Colorado Rubber Hockey Magazine. After a handful of visits with Pioneers captain Grant Arnold it is pretty easy to see why he is so widely respected inside and outside of the program.

---

The task in front of Denver University’s hockey team this season isn’t small: replace seven graduated seniors who played vital roles in the Pioneers’ run to the final eight of the NCAA Tournament this past spring.

Meeting that challenge of breaking in a large freshman class will require strong leadership outside – and inside – the locker room. That’s where senior Grant Arnold comes in.

The forward from Centennial begins his second season as captain with a clear picture of what is in store.

“Last year was pretty special with seven seniors, which is rare at a program like DU. I felt like I had seven assistant captains,” Arnold said. “Seniors know the routine. We have quite a bit more work to do this season, but I like our chemistry so far. We have a lot of leaders.

“The freshmen that are coming in – and Monty (Coach Jim Montgomery) recruits kids with high character – are willing to buy in. I have no worries.”

In a sport known for good leaders, the third-year coach said Arnold’s leadership and commitment to his teammates goes beyond hockey’s usual high standard.

“He always thinks about the team. It doesn’t matter if it’s a drill, the length of practice. He considers how it affects the team, how it benefits the team,” Montgomery said. “It’s like having another assistant coach. He’s always thinking about ways to bring out the best in the team.

“He knows his role inside and out, and it is an extremely huge advantage to have someone like that in the locker room. … It’s amazing to see his maturity.”

One of the balances Arnold has mastered is serving as an extension of his coach while being an advocate for his peers to that coach. Fellow DU senior Gabe Levin, one of Arnold’s assistants this season, said the captain commands the respect of his teammates.

“Grant is a natural leader in every sense. People want to follow him,” Levin said. “He’ll say things and guys will go around repeating what he said. He has a great work ethic, and it’s important to have a guy like that as an example.”

Arnold’s ability to discern what to say, and when, also stands out, Levin said. “He does a good job of knowing when to say things and when not to.”

Arnold, who has recovered from April shoulder surgery, attributes his leadership development to three of his coaches.

“Andrew Sherman of the Colorado Rampage is really special to me, part of the family,” Arnold said. “I learned a lot from him on the ice, but more importantly he taught me a mindset and a way to approach the game. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without him.”

Second is Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper, who coached Arnold at Green Bay of the United States Hockey League (USHL) during the 2009-10 season, when the Gamblers won the Clark Cup and Anderson Cup.

“That was special time winning the Clark Cup as a rookie,” said Arnold, who won it again two seasons later under coach Derek Lalonde, a former DU assistant. “Cooper instills that winning attitude: ‘You’re not going to beat me, but if you do you’re going to feel it the next morning’.”

The third is Montgomery, who also won big in the USHL.

“This is my third year with Monty, and our relationship has grown,” Arnold said. “He has helped my leadership, and like Cooper he has that swagger.

“When Monty came in I knew his Dubuque teams were tough to play against. Our perspectives on hockey were very similar. One of his strengths is reading the situation in the room, knowing when to get on guys and when to praise guys.

“In Division I you hear so much from coaches. Often captains or leaders don’t step up and say something. Obviously we have our disagreements, but if we’re not on the same page things can get rocky right away.”

It’s unlikely that will happen in the home locker room at Magness Arena this season.