Prospect Scouting Report: Baxter Arcanum

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Baxter Arcanum made his debut in the VHLM while the season was ongoing, and as a result played a mere 40 games in the VHLM before making the jump to the VHLE. Arcanum was picked up by the Ottawa Lynx as a waiver player and immediately found a place on the blue line.

 

Arcanum is an active defenseman, and his stat line shows his effort level on the ice. The rookie tallied an impressive 10 goals and 29 assists for 39 points, just shy of point-per-game levels of success. With 71 hits and 53 blocked shots in his abbreviated season, Baxter has proven to scouts that he’s not just a “fourth forward” for the team. He can muscle the puck away from opponents effectively, which is great for creating turnovers which lead to outlet passes and scoring opportunities: Arcanum is always on the lookout for a way to create openings for his teammates.

 

A strong argument could be made that Arcanum’s scoring numbers in his short time in the VHLM are artificially inflated - the overwhelming majority (nine out of ten) of his regular season goals were scored on the powerplay. Outside his time on the PP, Baxter was only able to find the net once in forty outings; that level of performance is more in line with what you’d expect from a rookie d-man in the VHLM. Baxter Arcanum will be the first to tell you that his focus as a player is anywhere but scoring goals, his priority is in stopping shots before they make it to the blue paint.

 

On the ice, there’s no question: Baxter Arcanum has the skills, the physicals, and the mentality to go as far in the VHL as anyone. Off the ice is where questions begin to arise. Arcanum has reportedly exhibited unusual behaviors that have been cause for concern for some scouts around the league.

 

“The kid, he comes from money, you see. His parents are loaded and he’s exposed to all of that weird lifestyle stuff that usually doesn’t penetrate into the hockey culture. He has an underwater spin class that he goes to twice a week. They put on SCUBA gear, jump in a pool, and pedal stationary bikes for like an hour, basically. What the hell even is that?”

 

 

“He spends the off-seasons doing those new age metaphysical retreats. Doesn’t talk about them much, but from what I gather it’s just a place for the rich and famous to rub elbows and pretend to be mystical.”

 

 

We approached Arcanum for comment about these unusual habits and he offered the following answer:

 

“I’m not afraid to try new things in search of success - what I’m involved with might be unusual, but it’s all to serve the purpose of improving on the ice. If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse.”

For better or worse, Baxter Arcanum is turning heads. Fans and detractors alike are excited to see where his career is headed. Stay tuned for the most current information on this young defenseman.