California Dreamer
Alumnus Loves Life - and - Hockey in California

by Sheri Shannon, BA ‘00

Arsenault wearing #9 and the "A" for the Tommies

Shayne Arsenault, (BA ‘93, BEd ‘94) has come a long way from his days of wearing #9 for the St. Thomas Tommies.

Shayne, now a resident in Placentia, California, with his wife Tanya (Hughson) and baby girl, Ryanne, has made quite a mark for himself as the new sunshine kid in sunny California.

In 1993 he was invited to California by the Anaheim Bullfrogs to play professional in-line hockey. The 30-year-old immediately led his new team, the Anaheim Bullfrogs, to victory and the title of World Champions in 1993. Shayne returned to St. Thomas that fall to complete his Bachelor of Education and to play out his last year as a Tommie. Returning to the Bullfrogs in 1994, he played eight games and registered 10 goals and 10 assists. He also played one game with the Los Angeles Blades and signed with them in 1995, playing 19 games and registering 30 points.

Current head coach for the St. Thomas Tommies, Derryl Smith, was the assistant coach during Arsenault’s playing days at STU. Coach Smith says that “Shayne was a highly skilled forward who displayed team leadership and was rewarded by being named assistant captain in his final year.”

There is no doubt, Shayne has proven his leadership over the years. His experience at St. Thomas University prepared him not only for on- ice encounters but also for those he faces off the ice. Shayne appreciates St. Thomas for its positive influence on him saying: “STU was my first experience playing hockey away from Prince Edward Island. Although it’s a small university, a person’s potential is tremendous at St. Thomas. The university prepped me for what I’ve accomplished today both as an athlete and as a professional.”

(Arsenault with wife Tanya and daughter Ryanne in California)

His success proves his words. Arsenault has just recently been appointed General Manager of the La Verne Hockey Club in La Verne, California and has recently been appointed as the new marketing manager for BRAVO CORP (a company that manufactures in-line hockey wheels). Shayne has also recently started his own company, Global Source, selling promotional sport apparel to various dealers.

Aside from his business endeavours, you can always find #9 still lacing up the skates. “Hockey and playing for St. Thomas is why I’m doing and achieving what I’ve set out to do today,” Arsenault says.

Although the St. Thomas community misses seeing him around these parts, the University and the community proudly call him a St. Thomas alumnus!!