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KITN · 02-01-2020, 03:26 PM

Few have heard of Jack Von Arx, the 6’5, 225-pound defenseman from Reinach. Well SHL fans, may want to get acquainted because the latest ice hockey product by way of Switzerland is heading west.

“Hard-working”, “physically imposing”, and “deceptively quick”, are just a few of the phrases used by those in and around the Red Lions Reinach Hockey Club to describe Von Arx. Red Lions Reinach is one of the oldest chartered members of Liga 1, the fourth highest professional level of ice hockey underneath the Swiss League umbrella. Von Arx was just 15 when current Red Lions Reinach head coach, Raphael Zahner, first saw him on the ice.

“Jack was a little smaller then and fast…skated faster than a lot of our 19 and 20-somethings”, says Zahner. “[Jack] hit somewhat of a growth spurt over the last few years and just kept inching up. It wasn’t long before we realized he is too big to be a forward and would be best along the blue line.”

To say Von Arx dominated the blue line with Red Lions is a massive understatement. He’s led Swiss Liga 1 in most relevant stat categories since his first season and finished as the league’s all-time defensive leader in goals, assists, points, and plus/minus. And if that isn’t enough to impress, we should also point out Von Arx leaves Red Lions Reinach as back-to-back Swiss League 1 Champions.

But despite his long list of individual and team accolades, few have heard of the kid known as the “Swiss Superman of Reinach ice hockey”. Why?

“We can be honest…all the talented kids to skate through programs such as ours, few have ascended to the elite levels of the NHL or SHL,” admits Zahner. “We’ve had some professionals emerge from the city, but for the most part, they come from the Women’s National Team.”

[Image: rlr-wynentalerblatt-20181130.jpg]

[Image: rlr-wynentalerblatt-20181130.jpg]

Emerging from an obscure hockey market like Reinach isn’t the only hurdle Jack Von Arx has to clear. He isn’t known for being the most physical player, despite his size.

“Jack has been a great finesse player, but in North America, being physical is necessary”, says Zahner. “He knows what he needs to do and work on…he is ready to take his game to the next level by working on his checking and simply playing bigger.”

What’s next for Jack Von Arx is the SMJHL. A minor procedure to correct a nagging wrist injury forced him out of the Season 52 draft class. Regardless, Zahner wasn’t sure his former player had enough exposure and the attention of scouts to be selected within the event’s 5 rounds. The notion didn’t discourage the young defenseman who has been working out at the Swiss National Team’s World Juniors Complex in Comox Valley.

[Image: CAEE268A-179B-4CCE-B2EE-103CBE4EA19C-750x420.jpg]

[Image: CAEE268A-179B-4CCE-B2EE-103CBE4EA19C-750x420.jpg]

“Jack has been very focused on rehabbing the wrist and has been back on the ice for a few weeks,” claims Zahner. “He’s excited at the potential to join an SMJHL team and hopes to find the right fit in the coming days”.

It shouldn’t take long for teams to make inquires, although a roster spot may take an injury or two. The SMJHL has recently seen a surge in registered, undrafted free agents and with teams having filled immediate needs, the path for Jack Von Arx is likely one that begins with the “depth signing” label. Either way, the large, puck-moving, finesse defenseman from Reinach is ready to go.

JNH · 02-01-2020, 05:22 PM

Great article!

DeletedAtUserRequest · 02-01-2020, 06:21 PM

Fun read +1

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