Arneson Honored as NA3HL Defensman of the Month

Mar 4, 2021

ROCHESTER, Minn. – After starting the season in the NAHL with the Wichita Falls Warriors, Blake Arneson arrived in Rochester back in February and made an immediate splash. After just five games played for the black-and-gold, Arneson racked up seven points and has been named the NA3HL’s Defenseman of the Month for February.

The Red Wings, MN, native joined the Grizzlies on February 12, 2021, and made an immediate impact scoring in his first game for the Grizzlies. That wasn’t enough for the 2002-born defenseman who also scored a goal in his second game with the team, starting off his time in Rochester with goals in back-to-back games. In fact, the 5-foot-9 blueliner has registered at least a point in every game he’s played for the black-and-gold, with his best offensive output coming against Oregon last Friday night where he logged a goal and two assists for three points.

Arneson’s junior career began in 2018-19 where he played three games for the NAHL’s Bismarck Bobcats, a team he would eventually play one more game with during the 2019-20 season before landing with the Northeast Generals. After 24 games with Northeast where he registered two assists, Arneson was picked up by Wichita Falls in 2020-21 where he began the season playing in 10 games. Ultimately, Arneson laded back in his home state with the Grizzlies and has already proven to be a key piece to the Grizzlies playoff puzzle.

In addition to Arneson’s honor, fellow Grizzlies Hunter Wilmes and Shane Soderwall were each named honorable mentions for the NA3HL Forward of the Month and NA3HL Goaltender of the Month, respectively.

Up next for the Grizzlies, they begin a three-in-three on Thursday night against the Wausau River Wolves before heading to Oregon, WI, for two games against the Oregon Tradesmen. With just seven total games left in the regular season, the Grizzlies have already clinched a playoff spot and are vying for the Central Division’s top seed.