Nielsson Arcibal grew up playing hockey in California more than 20 years ago, right around the time the game started to grow in huge numbers on the West Coast.

After time in junior hockey, NCAA Division I and the pro game, the Vista native is starting his second year as the general manager and head coach of the EHL’s Connecticut Nor’Easter organization. He’s also the VP of hockey operations for the International Skating Center of Connecticut.

Coming to the EHL was a combination of wanting to be part of a strong junior hockey league and the motivation of helping young hockey players develop, both on and off the ice.

“I really enjoyed my own junior hockey career and I wanted to be able to give back to the game and have that same kind of impact on the next generation,” said Arcibal. “I really enjoy working with young men and helping them grow, not just as hockey players, but as people. At this age, there’s a lot of development that happens both on and off the ice and being able to be a part of that is what makes coaching so rewarding for me. It was a great experience for me last season and I’m excited to continue building on what we started and keep developing our players and our program.

“I think the number of teams and the locations of those teams are a big part of what makes the EHL sustainable. We’re located right in the heart of college hockey, which gives our players great exposure and opportunities while also keeping travel manageable. The travel is also very similar to what these players will experience when they get to college, so it helps prepare them for that next level. For me, the EHL is a great steppingstone to college hockey because it gives players the competition, development, exposure and experience they need to take that next step.”

Arcibal joined the Nor’Easter from the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, where he was video coach for the 2024–25 season. Prior to that, he spent two seasons on staff at his alma mater, American International College, serving as director of hockey Operations and later as an assistant coach.

He said the biggest key to being a successful EHL coach starts away from the rink.

“I think the biggest key is building relationships with your players and getting them to trust you,” Arcibal said. “At this level, you’re not just coaching hockey players, you’re helping young men develop and prepare for the next step in their lives. You have to be able to push them, hold them accountable, and understand what they need as individuals. If you can create the right environment, get everyone working toward the same goal, and help your players get a little better every day, I think you give yourself a great chance to be successful.”

A standout player during his playing days, Arcibal said many factors contributed to him diving into coaching.

“I’ve always loved hockey and some people might even call me a bit of a hockey nerd,” Arcibal said. “I love the details of the game and how much goes into becoming a really good player – the little things that might not always show up on the scoresheet but can make a huge difference.

“Coaching gives me the opportunity to share that passion and help players understand the game on a deeper level. I enjoy breaking things down, teaching the details, and watching a player take something we’ve worked on and apply it to their game. For me, there’s nothing better than seeing a player develop and knowing you had a small part in helping them get there.”

Arcibal played junior hockey in the NAHL and USHL, winning a national championship with the Texas Tornado in 2006. At AIC, he was a four-year impact player, team captain, and graduated as the program’s all-time NCAA Division I assists leader, still ranking in the top 10 in career points.

His professional playing career included stops in Sweden, the ECHL and SPHL, and he won gold medals with Team USA at the IIHF Inline Hockey World Championships in 2013 and 2017. He is also the founder and head trainer at ARC Hockey Training, where he focuses on elite hockey development.

“I was fortunate to have some great experiences throughout my playing career,” said Arcibal. “One of the biggest highlights was winning the NAHL national championship with the Texas Tornado. From there, I had the opportunity to play in the USHL with the Des Moines Buccaneers, which was a great experience and helped prepare me for the next level – NCAA hockey at American International College. Being able to play junior hockey, move on to college, and continue playing professionally gave me a lot of experiences that I now draw on as a coach. I think going through those different levels helps me understand what these young players are going through and what it takes to get to the next level.”

Back in California, Arcibal played in his home state when the landscape was very different than it is today.

“I grew up playing in Southern California with the San Diego Jr. Gulls,” said Arcibal. “I played 14U AA with the Gulls and was fortunate enough to be part of a team that made nationals. I then played 16U AAA with San Diego before moving on to the LA Selects for 18U AAA. One of my biggest memories from that time was making it all the way to the national championship with the LA Selects, where we ultimately lost to Shattuck.

“Growing up in California, hockey was obviously a little different than it is in some of the traditional hockey markets, but I was fortunate to be around some great coaches and teammates who helped me develop and fall in love with the game. The hockey landscape in California has changed a lot over the last 20 years. There are more players, more opportunities, and more exposure to the game than there was when I was growing up. It’s been really cool to see how much hockey has grown out there.”

The new 2026-27 EHL season fast approaching, Arcibal is chomping at the bit to dropping the puck next month.

“I’m very excited about the group of young men we have coming in this season,” Arcibal said. “We worked very hard throughout the offseason on recruiting and I’m happy with the players we were able to bring into the program. Our goal is to get a little bit better every day and if we can continue to improve as a group and build the right culture, I think we’re going to have a good season.”

Photos/Shawn Kelly

— Matt Mackinder

(August 18, 2026)