Dave Arnold died on Friday after a courageous bout with glioblastoma. His children lost a loving father. His wife lost a loving husband. His grandchildren lost a loving grandfather. And his golf buddies lost an incredible golf partner. Perspective is everything, and for Dave Arnold’s death, everyone who came into contact with Dave had a...
Dave Arnold died on Friday after a courageous bout with glioblastoma.
His children lost a loving father. His wife lost a loving husband. His grandchildren lost a loving grandfather.
And his golf buddies lost an incredible golf partner.
Perspective is everything, and for Dave Arnold’s death, everyone who came into contact with Dave had a different experience and view of him.
For the New England hockey world, it lost a loyal, hard-working photographer who chronicled the best years of many kids’ lives.
Dave’s photos graced our pages of New England Hockey Journal — both on this website and in our magazines — for many years. If you’ve read a New England Hockey Journal story, then you’ve surely seen his work.
The rivalry games in prep. The heated games in Maine high school hockey. The championships in Massachusetts high school hockey.
The best local players years before they became national names. Dave captured it all.
Nowadays there are countless photographers and videographers at games. Sometimes, a parent or two will pull out an expensive camera to grab some photos, too.
But no one did it better and with the professionalism of Dave Arnold. And he did it long after his children, Tory and Bill, were done playing.
It wasn’t just hockey. He shot all kinds of sports — lacrosse, baseball and soccer, too. He would do anything to get the shot. At Belmont Hill hockey games, for instance, he’d make his own platform between the student sections to shoot over the glass, resulting in the best pictures.
No matter how rowdy both sides were, no one messed with Dave.
Years go by, and people come and go. History and meaning are relative to those who experienced it. New England hockey players now and in the future will suffer the unfortunate reality that Dave Arnold won’t be photographing their games. Even worse, they won't realize it.
But when New England hockey players from the last few decades get sentimental and want to reminisce on the glory days, they'll find photos of themselves suiting up for their town high school team or star-studded prep squad.
They can thank Dave Arnold for chronicling the best times of their lives.
His name at the bottom, his quality always at the top.
