Sechelt's David Arduin shone brightly in the all-star spotlight last week in Surrey.
Arduin finished with a goal and one assist helping lead the Interior Conference to a 9-7 win over the Coastal Conference in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) all-star game at South Surrey Arena.
The Trail Smoke Eaters forward said he was pleased with his effort when he spoke with Coast Reporter last Friday morning."The whole week was a great experience," Arduin said. "We played a few games prior to the all-star break on the Mainland. On Sunday, while the rest of the team headed back to Trail, the Trail coaches stayed with us [Trail goalie Cole Anderson also played in the game] and they treated us first class. We stayed in a nice hotel and were treated like kings.
"I was blown away by the awards banquet on Tuesday. I didn't expect that it was going to be such a big deal, but there were over 400 people there, some great guest speakers and lots of Canucks alumni."
Arduin admitted he was a bit shell shocked sitting on the bench in the first period, but once he found his game legs, he felt much better.
"The game is something I'll never forget. Playing alongside so many great players is a privilege - not too many players have the opportunity. I wanted to make the most out of the experience," he said. "I didn't think I was going to be nervous, but the first few shifts I felt like I was skating in cement. But after I got an assist on a pretty nice goal in the first, I relaxed a bit. Scoring a pretty nice goal in the second period was great. That certainly made the whole experience that much sweeter."
Arduin had a strong contingent of Sunshine Coast supporters in the stands as his parents, his sister and her boyfriend, his grandparents, his aunt and uncle and several family friends and minor hockey coaches all made the trek for the game."To look up into the stands and see my family and friends there, people who have supported me all my life, was really nice. It was special to share that experience with them," Arduin said.
Now that the all-star game is behind him, Arduin wants to concentrate on the second half of the BCHL season and making a run in the playoffs.
"I think we can do some damage - no one is really taking us seriously," he said. "The all-star game was great and I'm happy with my performance. I haven't talked to too many scouts personally, but I know they're out there. The schools will come. Right now the focus is on a playoff run."
