KINDERSLEY — Three second-generation Kindersley Klippers are playing important roles for the team this season.
Cash Arntsen’s father, Cheyenne, and Blain Hilbig, the dad of current Klippers Tylin and Ethan, were teammates in Kindersley for the 1993-1994 campaign. That was the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League squad’s first season in the community after previously being the Saskatoon Titans.
“Playing for the same team as my dad is quite a special privilege for me,” Cash Arntsen said. “It has been interesting to watch him come to my games and get to see his friends that he spent his time with while he played here. It is pretty amazing that I am able to play in the same town as him and get to make the same type of memories and friendships that he did.”
Tylin Hilbig appreciates being able to be teammates with his brother in his hometown as well as compete for the same team his dad did.
“It's awesome getting to play with my brother on the same team. Besides last year, we haven't been on the same team for a few years so it’s really nice to have the chance to play on a team with him again. And to get to do it for the team our dad played for makes it even cooler, especially getting to see his pictures in the rink and him having his old team jerseys and jackets.”
Before his season in Kindersley, Blain Hilbig played for the Titans and played a couple contests for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League. He went on to play for the SJHL’s Melfort Mustangs, Yorkton Terriers and Humboldt Broncos before a season with the Junior B Saskatoon Royals, according to eliteprospects.com. Cheyenne Arntsen suited up for Klippers for two seasons after a campaign with the Titans.
“When I was younger, my dad would often talk about his time with the Klippers,” Cash Arntsen said. “He would tell stories about things that happened during games and about all the fights he had and the goals that he would score. Some of his favorite stories he tells are all the stuff he did around town. When he told me these things he always used to say, ‘your junior years are some of the best years of your life, enjoy them.’”
The second-generation players are looking to enjoy their season and make some memories of their own.
“What I am most excited for with this group of guys is to see how far we can come along as a team,” Ethan Hilbig said. “We have a tight group of guys, so we just need to be able to put it together on the ice and get it done.”
Cash Arntsen, Tylin Hilbig and Ethan Hilbig each play a role for the Klippers. They help the organization on and off the ice.
“All three of these young athletes are amazing teammates, a joy to coach and all are great members of the community,” Klippers head coach Ken Plaquin said. “They represent the Klippers in Kindersley and the SJHL with great work ethic and class.”
Cash Arntsen
Cash Arntsen grew up in Swift Current. He captained his hometown U18 AAA Legionnaires before moving up to the SJHL last season. Cash Arntsen originally was with the La Ronge Ice Wolves but was swapped to Kindersley before the playing in a regular season game with the northern squad.
The 19-year-old recorded five goals, 15 points, and 91 penalty minutes in 42 games last season. Through 13 contests as of Monday, the 5-foot-11, 194-pounder had three goals, six points, and 28 penalty minutes this fall.
“Cash is a hardworking and hard-hitting forward who goes to battle for his teammates every night,” Plaquin said. “He is a great team player who comes to the rink every day with a smile on his face and a willingness to learn. I imagine he plays a lot like his father did.”
The elder Arntsen has 39 points with 22 goals and 121 penalty minutes in 43 games in 1993-1994. In the Klippers’ second season, he posted 20 goals, 56 points, and 44 penalty minutes in 49 contests.
Hilbig Brothers
Tylin Hilbig is a 19-year-old in his second season with the club. He serves as an assistant captain. As of Monday, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound forward paced the team with five goals through 13 games. Tylin Hilbig was tied for second on the team in points with nine behind Spencer Paplawski’s nine. Last season he posted 23 goals, 41 points and 16 penalty minutes in 58 games. He has four PIMs this season.
“Tylin is one of team captains and has a tremendous attitude,” Plaquin said. “He has an amazing ability to shoot and score from almost anywhere and can be a very dangerous goal scorer at any time. He is also a big physical presence.”
Ethan Hilbig, the 18-year-old brother of Tylin, plays on the Klippers blue line. Last season he five points in 58 games. As of Monday, the 6-foot-4, 210-pounder had surpassed that with six points, including his first two SJHL goals, in 13 games. He had 85 penalty minutes last season and six as of Monday in this campaign.
“Ethan is a big, rugged defenceman who hits very hard and is very hard for other teams to play against,” Plaquin said. “He also brings a great attitude to the rink every day, loves to play hockey and works to get better every day.”
The Hilbig’s father played in 66 games for the Klippers. He had five goals, 15 points and 270 penalty minutes.
The Hilbigs moved to Kindersley when Tylin was 10. The boys quickly become Klippers’ fans.
“I remember my first summer going to Klipper camp and I thought that Klippers were the coolest guys ever,” Tylin Hilbig said. “I watched almost every game that I could, and it was always such a fun experience. We started keeping billets, which made the games more fun and sweet to have a big brother around the house.”
Ethan Hilbig said it is an honour to play junior hockey in his hometown.
“I always went to Klippers games as a kid and had billets that played for the Klippers. I enjoy having family and friends at the games and I always want to play my best in front of them.
