Arshdeep Bains: From Rebels standout to AHL all-star
Former Red Deer Rebels standout forward Arshdeep Bains will represent the Abbotsford Canucks in the American Hockey League all-star game next month.
Bains, who captured the WHL scoring title in the 2021-22 season with 112 points, is in his second season with the Canucks and is the team’s leading scorer with 33 points in 32 games.
The Surrey, BC, native played four and a half years with the Rebels and is in his second season with Abbotsford after signing with the parent Vancouver Canucks in May of 2022 as an undrafted free agent.
The Abbotsford winger was a healthy scratch at times during his rookie AHL season but has worked on his two-way game and is now a player possibly on the verge of being called up to the NHL Canucks at some point in the not too distant future.
“His maximum level has been really high and you love seeing that,” Abbotsford head coach Jeremy Colliton told Vancouver Canucks senior writer Chris Faber this week. “It’s just finding a way to raise your minimum level to find that consistency to be day-in and day-out one of the best players on the ice.
“He’s going in the right direction. In particular, over the last 10 days, he’s been really good. And we need him to be good. We have important games to play – divisional games against teams at the top (of the standings) with us.
“Those games are the times where guys like him can come through in the clutch and that’s what’s going to help prepare him for if he gets a chance in Vancouver.”
From nearby Surrey, Bains hopes his hockey growth and his appearance in the AHL showcase will inspire other upcoming BC players.
“It’s awesome. I don’t think that happens too often where a guy gets to represent their local team and city like this,” he told Faber.
“Hopefully, the kids playing hockey in BC can look up to me and I can show them that I can be a good role model.”
Colliton sees Bains as not only a key offensive player on his club but an all around team MVP candidate who plays on both the power play and penalty kill.
“He’s a really important player for us who can play in all situations,” said Colliton. “He’s transformed his game to be a two-way, responsible, heart and soul kind of player.”
Bains is certainly looking forward to the AHL all-star experience.
“I think it’s pretty special,” he said. “I’m going to have some fun there. It’s not too serious but it’s nice to get recognized for playing well. I’ve got to see what skills competition I’m in and maybe I’ll try some cool stuff on the ice.”
The AHL All-Star weekend is scheduled for Feb. 4-5 in San Jose, California.
Four of Bains’ former Red Deer 2022-23 teammates are also playing their trade in the AHL.
Forward Ben King was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks after finishing runner-up to his linemate in the 2021-22 WHL season with 105 points, including a league-best 52 goals, and is currently with the Ducks AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls.
In 29 games with the Gulls, the Vernon, BC, native has contributed eight goals and 17 points.
Meanwhile, last season’s WHL Central Division all-star defenceman Christoffer Sedoff has recorded nine assists in 35 games with the Henderson Silver Knights. Sedoff signed with the parent Vegas Golden Knights as a free agent in March of last year.
Forward Jace Isley, who was a physical and offensive force with the Rebels as a 20-year-old last season, signed an AHL/ECHL free agent contract with the New Jersey Devils in September and started the current season with the ECHL Adirondack Thunder, posting four goals and 15 points in 28 games.
The Grande Prairie product is now with the AHL Utica Comets and has recorded one assist in six games.
Forward Jayden Grubbe signed with the Edmonton Oilers last year and has three goals and eight points with the Bakersfield Condors.
Four of Bains’ Red Deer teammates from previous seasons are also in the AHL.
Defenceman Kyle Masters, a Minnesota Wild draft pick, has recorded three assists in 18 games with the Iowa Wild, while fellow rearguard Dawson Barteaux is pointless in seven games with the Manitoba Moose.
Forward Khristian Reichel has eight points in 31 games with the Moose and forward Jaxsen Wiebe has two goals and three points with San Diego.
Notable: The Rebels, coming off Wednesday’s big 5-4 win over the WHL leading and CHL No. 1 ranked Saskatoon Blades, are in Medicine Hat Friday to face the Tigers. The Rebels, who occupy fourth place in the Eastern Conference, one point back of Moose Jaw and three up on Swift Current, will host the Prince Albert Raiders on Saturday.
