Mark Arcobello had neither his name nor number on the back of his jersey for all but one game last season. In the Swiss League, the leading scorer on each team dons a special jersey with "Top Scorer" printed on the back. That player also wears a yellow helmet, the sides covered in flames like a Hot Wheels car. Especially in SC Bern’s black jerseys, Arcobello looked like a hockey version of the Human Torch.
Quite frankly, Arcobello (Milford, Conn.) didn’t need his name or number on the back of his jersey. Despite it being his first year in the Swiss A League, Arcobello very quickly made himself known. His success had a cosmic element to it. Thanks to the arrival of the likes of Auston Matthews in Toronto, the Maple Leafs organization no longer felt a need for Arcobello’s talents. So, as Auston came from Switzerland to Toronto, Arcobello did the inverse. In his league debut, Auston Matthews put up four points for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Arcobello matched the feat with the Bern Bears. So, especially for Bern fans, he was a known commodity by game two.
It was Arcobello’s 2014-15 season that provided the impetus that would drive him to Switzerland. He had begun the year with the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers had nurtured him following his standout career at Yale. After three seasons in the minors and one split season, it looked like Arcobello finally had earned his permanent call-up. In the 2014-15 season, he had gotten off to a decent start with the parent club but was traded midseason to the Nashville Predators. Despite a goal in his Predators debut, had was waived three games later. However, he was quickly picked up by the vaunted Pittsburgh Penguins. After 10 games, the Penguins also decided to part ways with him. He would be collected once more, this time by Arizona. The hectic season gave had a glimpse of a future he no longer really wanted. "It was a good year, but it also put me into a position where I didn’t want to move around anymore," he said.
That attitude played a part in his decision to sign with the Toronto organization the next season. With both the AHL and NHL club in the same city, he at least had the benefit of cutting down on plane rides. However, following another split season between the two leagues, Arcobello decided a more significant change was needed: "I was just disappointed and sick of moving and being uncertain of where I end up every morning. Every time I went to the rink I was, you know, wondering if I was going to get sent down, called up. It’s tough to make plans that way."
About to marry his fiancé, Mollie, Arcobello knew he could not continue the nomadic lifestyle. He also knew that Switzerland offered a highly appealing option: "I know I wanted to come to Switzerland above any other league. I wanted just some security and (to) be able to just relax and play hockey."
The comfort of knowing where home would be every night and now having a virtually guaranteed roster spot freed him up on the ice. "The NHL, it’s all about development and learning about systems, and sometimes you can’t just go out there and play hockey. You’re worried about making too many mistakes within the system. Here, you know, we have our systems, but, at the same time, I have the freedom to be creative and to play relaxed."
Arcobello certainly looked calm on his first goal, which came just 44 seconds into his debut. With his veteran poise, he drew the puck back around a sliding defender then roofed it over the goalie. Arcobello would finish the season with 55 points in 50 games. He was the top scorer on his team, as well as in the entire league.
Of course, the playoffs are a different animal. Bern already was the defending champion, and, having finished atop the regular-season standings, the expectations were for another trophy. Anyone concerned was might suffer a dropoff was rapidly assuaged. In the playoff opener, he contributed a goal and an assist to the team’s 2-1 victory. Fifteen games later, he had led the team and league in playoff scoring (sharing the spotlight with teammate Andrew Ebbett), keying Bern to a repeat title.
This, naturally, sets the bar pretty high for Arcobello’s encore. His team has won back-to-back titles, so the expectations can be assumed. Arcobello did not deny it: "We have an awesome group of guys here, some good imports and a really good core of Swiss guys, who’ve already won championships in this league. I think we should be able to win it, again. I think we actually have a better team, on paper." Meanwhile, he is holding it upon himself to, at the very least, maintain his status quo. "I’ve proven last year I can be a top player in this league," he said, confidently.
This year, however, will have a new wrinkle: The eyes of the Team USA brass might be watching. With the NHL out of the Olympics, professionals across Europe will be getting a look. Certainly, the defending leading scorer of one of the most respected leagues will be among that cadre.
Arcobello also might have another factor in his favor. His former Yale coach, Keith Allain (Worcester, Mass.), is among Team USA’s corps. The Yale bench boss, who actually might see a few of his former charges on the USA bench, sounded enthused about possibly being reunited with Mark.
"There’s no question that he’s on the radar," Coach Allain acknowledged. "I would say that 70 percent of our team are going to be guys like Mark who are pros in Europe, right now. If you look at the players that are available for us, we’re probably going to be small, quick and highly skilled up front, and that’s Mark’s M.O."
On Oct. 24, the Olympic torch will be lit in Athens. The flame then will travel to and around South Korea until it ends up in Pyeongchang.
In Switzerland, Arcobello will be aiming to burn the ice anew in his flaming jersey. If he plays like he did last season, he might be offered a chance to take an 11-hour flight. Even though he left for Switzerland, in part, to avoid such rigorous travel, one could safely assume he’ll have no hesitation to board that plane.
