Arpin has long ties to Wheat Kings

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This article was published 25/01/2025 (237 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When the Brandon Wheat Kings acquired big defenceman Merrek Arpin on Jan. 7, they likely had no idea how deep his roots were with the team.

Arpin lived in East St. Paul, which is northwest of Winnipeg, from age six to 16, before his family moved to Calgary, and his Western Hockey League allegiance lay in Brandon.

“When I was growing up, I would always go to Wheat Kings games,” Arpin said. “Winnipeg at the time didn’t have a WHL team — and they don’t anymore — so I would always watch Wheat Kings games. I remember the barn being electric when I was a little kid, so it’s obviously really cool to play for the Wheat Kings now.”

The Wheat Kings were in action against the Prince George Cougars in the final game of their Western Conference trip last night in a game that ended well after deadline.

Arpin started skating on an outdoor rink with his father Craig at age four, and began Timbits hockey soon after.

He was originally a forward, transitioning to the blue-line when he was 12.

“I always liked D,” Arpin said. “I always wanted to be a defenceman. I really like (Shea) Weber when I was growing up and wanted to model my play after him.”

Arpin started at the Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg during the 2019/20 under-15 prep season, recording nine points in 27 games. He had four points in two U-15 games the following season in the COVID-impacted 2020-21 campaign.

In his rookie season of U18 prep at Rink, 2021-22, Arpin had seven goals, 14 assists and 34 penalty minutes in just 26 games, displaying signs of the offence and snarl that can be part of his game.

“When I’m having a good night, I’m a two-way player,” Arpin said. “I transition pucks quickly, I’m a good skater, I can shut down top lines, I can play physical and I can head-man the puck really quickly out of the zone.”

Arpin also suited up for Team Manitoba at the 2021 WHL Cup, posting an assist in five games.

The Americans selected the right-shooting Arpin in the third round of the 2021 draft with the 49th overall pick, and announced the defenceman had signed with the club on April 26, 2022.

Arpin played just 11 games in his debut season, 2022-23, scoring his only WHL goal in a game on Dec. 28, 2022 against the Portland Winterhawks. He suffered a broken rib in their next game two nights later and missed the rest of the season and the start of the next one because it refused to heal properly.

“I had to do a lot of rehab,” Arpin said.

He returned in late October 2023 to suit up in 57 games last season, posting eight assists and 28 penalty minutes with a plus-minus of -27.

“When I was 16, I only played 11 games because I got hurt right away,” Arpin said. “It was a tough season because I was out for the season. In my 17-year-old year I got a real taste for the WHL. The first 50 games is quite an adjustment but later on I grew and grew and I’m really comfortable out here now.”

In the last three years, the six-foot-four, 205-pound Arpin has grown an inch and packed on 30 pounds.

In 31 games with Tri-City this season, he had three assists,12 penalty minutes and a plus-minus of -4 before the trade, which sent 18-year-old defenceman Charlie Elick and a third-round pick in 2026 to the Americans in return for Arpin and 18-year-old forward Jordan Gavin.

His family, which also includes mother Pamela and sisters Madi and Megan, were surprised when it happened.

“They were a little bit shocked but I think they were pretty happy,” Arpin said. “Obviously I know people from Brandon, like the Caswells — (the family of Swift Current Broncos forward Clarke Caswell) — so it will be pretty cool.”

In two games in Brandon, he has an assist and a -2 plus-minus.

Marcus Nguyen played against him a bit when the Brandon overage forward was still a member of the Portland Winterhawks.

“I only played against him a couple of times,” Nguyen said. “I think he was injured for some of the seasons I was there. I know he’s a big guy who moves the puck well and is a good skater. He’s a great addition to the team and we’re excited to have him.”

Brandon’s newly renovated dressing room and nearby gymnasium tend to draw raves from newcomers, and Arpin is no different. He had no idea how good the Wheat Kings had it.

“It’s unreal, the facilities, unreal,” Arpin said. “It’s state of the art so it’s really cool.”

Unfortunately for the big blue-liner, he had to head home as Brandon began its West Coast swing due to a family emergency so he’s missed the rest of the trip.

Before the team left, Arpin said he is looking forward to getting a longer took at the Eastern Conference.

“Obviously playing in the States was fun but getting a new taste for things in a different environment will be cool,” Arpin said.

» pbergson@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @PerryBergson