Francesco reflects on his NHL Draft Day and the upcoming 2021-22 season

Francesco Arcuri did not want to worry about NHL Draft Day. He knew when it was but wanted to treat the big day as usual as possible. So the Frontenacs forward woke up around 6:00 am, as usual. He had scrambled eggs, as usual, and went for a workout, also as usual.

If you were an onlooker to the life of Francesco Arcuri on July 24, you would have never guessed that by the end of the day, he would be a prospect of the Dallas Stars.

“I was at the cottage with my family; I went for a jet-ski ride and then watched the draft when it came along,” said Arcuri, who did his best to keep his mind off of the draft. “It was really exciting to be there with my family and the people who have supported me the most throughout the whole journey.”

Arcuri debuted with the Frontenacs in 2019-20, scoring seven goals and 20 points through 60 games as a 16-year-old. Without an Ontario Hockey League season in his integral draft year, the Toronto-born forward ventured to Austria, where he skated with Steel Wings Linz, putting him in the spotlight of NHL scouts.

When “Frenchie,” as his teammates call him, heard his name come through the television speakers, it surprised him to see the Dallas Stars on screen. While Acruri expected an NHL team to draft him that day, the Stars were not a team he had been in extensive contact with. “We had a phone call and some emails, but it was not much,” he said. “It was a surprise; I did not really know which team was going to draft me.”

After the Texas franchise selected him, the Arcuri family went out for dinner near their cottage to celebrate not only the draft but the beginning of a big year for him in Kingston. While he did not know how the day would unfold, being drafted to the Stars was a dream come true, and NHL Draft Day had long been circled in Arcuri’s calendar.

While the celebrations took over the rest of the day, the newest member of the Stars organization spoke with general manager Jim Nill. “I spoke to him [Jim Nill] after they drafted me and some of the trainers and staff just to get started and get ready for camp.”

The Dallas Stars will be holding a preseason camp that Arcuri will likely participate in, giving him his first shot at the NHL, a dream he has had since he was a youngster. While the plan is still to set off goal horns at the Leon’s Centre, the 18-year-old knows he can learn a lot from attending the NHL club’s camp.

Despite not suiting up in the black and gold since March 2020, Arcuri has not stopped pushing himself as a player and a person. After his stint in Europe, he returned to Canada before going down to Florida for part of the summer to train with other elite-level hockey players.

The Fronts have undergone many changes since Arcuri last skated in front of fans at the Leon’s Centre. Still, with General Manager Kory Cooper in the office and Head Coach Luca Caputi behind the bench, he is confident that the team will be in a good spot in 2021-22.

“He’s great. Working with him my first year, he’s always there for you and always working for you,” said Arcuri about Caputi. “Just having a guy that was in the NHL and he’s been through it all, he is a great mentor to have, and we’re all ready to win and excited for it.”

With nearly two years of development since he last played in Kingston, fans can expect to see a faster and stronger Arcuri as he strives to give Frontenacs fans moments to cheer for. He stayed calm through NHL Draft Day, but he is itching to get started with training camp.

Carrying an excited calmness, the Dallas Stars prospect is thrilled about the potential of the Frontenacs in the upcoming year. “I think we can win the Memorial Cup, to be honest,” he said, “I think we are the best team in the OHL.”

Arcuri and the Frontenacs begin their Pre-Season on September 16 when they visit the Peterborough Petes and drop the puck on the OHL regular season on October 8 when they welcome the Ottawa 67’s to the Limestone City.

To purchase season tickets and secure your chance to see the newest Dallas Stars prospect, please visit www.myfrontenacs.com.