Among this year's inductees into the Collingwood Collegiate Institute (CCI) Black and Gold Society is Jason Arnott, an NHL star with a Stanley Cup win.
The Black and Gold Society started in 1998 as a way to recognize graduates who had exceptional high school athletic careers and went on to achieve great things in sport after high school. The society also honours those who have worked to pioneer and build CCI athletics in their careers as athletes, coaches and teachers at CCI.
While attending CCI, Arnott excelled at football and track and field. Arnott also played hockey with Wasaga Beach Minor Hockey, then was drafted to the Stayner Siskins Jr. B team, then to the Oshawa General Junior A team.
In 1993, Arnott was drafted in the first round (7th overall) to the NHL by the Edmonton Oilers. He was runner-up for the Calder Cup rookie of the year and played for six teams in his 20-year career as an NHL player. In 2000, he was on the A-line for the New Jersey Devils heading into Stanley Cup Playoffs. He scored the winning goal in the final game in double overtime.
Through his career, he scored 417 NHL goals playing centre and earned 521 assists. He now works as an NHL scout.
Arnott, 10 other athletes, and three builders will be inducted into the Black and Gold Society during a ceremony on Sept. 21 as part of the CCI 160th anniversary reunion.
