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Battalion top pick gets his first taste of North Bay

'We wanted to bring in winners and we felt that we did that'
2019 04 11 Battalion Arnsby
Battalion first round pick Liam Arnsby talks to a group of reporters outside the Battalion dressing room today during his first visit to the Gateway City. Photo by Chris Dawson/BayToday.ca.

Today was the first visit to North Bay for Liam Arnsby.

“I haven’t been here before, but so far it is very nice,” said Arnsby.  

Liam and his dad were up in North Bay today for a look at the Battalion dressing room, the arena and the city itself.  The Don Mills Flyers forward was selected ninth overall in the OHL Priority Selection this past Saturday by the Battalion.  

See related: Battalion select power forward with skill 9th overall

“I think they are both pretty excited and it is a great city and we all know what we have in North Bay and we all know how good things can be and it is really cool to get people up here to see for themselves and have that same excitement like when you saw it for the first time,” said Assistant GM Adam Dennis who coordinated the North Bay visit with the Arnsbys today.  

The Ajax, ON product is described as a "200-foot forward" who was able to rack up 70 points in 49 games with the OHL Cup champion Don Mills Flyers team.  Arnsby hopes his championship experience with the Flyers and his experience playing for Team Ontario at the Canada Winter Games will help him be prepared for his rookie year in the OHL next fall.  

There will be some familiar faces surrounding this young power forward. His teammates and longtime friends Paul and Alex Christopoulos from the Flyers were selected in the second and third round of the OHL draft by the Battalion. Arnsby also says he’s neighbours with Battalion forward Brandon Coe.

Dennis says bringing in players with championship success should help create a better environment in the future.  

“We wanted to bring in winners and we felt that we did that,” said Dennis.   

“Today is a low key day we want to show him around town, get used to it. Get him to see what he will be a part of for the next few years and make sure that familiarity and comfortability is there.”

Arnsby says he will continue to work out in the gym five days a week in preparation for training camp next fall.  However, fans will get a glimpse of Arnsby's talents on the ice before that as the Troops will hold another Spring Orientation Camp May 25th and 26th at Memorial Gardens.  


Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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