Arnold debuted with CSU as a 19-year-old in 2002 alongside current Lake Albert keeper Aaron Crump, and the two soon grew close through their battles on the field.

Fittingly, Arnold will line up against his old friend when he plays game number 400 for his beloved side at Jubilee Park on Saturday.

But the passionate defender was quick to deflect the attention away from his personal milestone and towards the friends and teammates who have made his 15 years such an enjoyable ride.

“I’ve met so many good people through hockey and shared so many good times with them,” he said.

“Win, lose or draw, I always enjoy myself and walk away happy.

“400 is just a number, the enjoyment you get out of playing the game is what it’s really all about.”

Arnold said his division two premiership in 2015 stood out as one of the highlights of his career.

He shared the special moment with long-time teammate and former CSU roommate Brett McVittie, 11 years after first attempting to convince him to take up hockey and nine years after finally succeeding. 

There have been lowlights too, notably a horror string of injuries, but the upbeat local still tells the stories behind them with a smile. 

“I had a running joke with my teammates about how many times I’d have to go to hospital, I seemed to be making annual visits at one point,” he said.

“There was one game a couple of years ago where I copped a ball in the face right on the final siren and last year I played through a broken toe.

“As you get older you definitely get a bit battered and bruised.”

As Wagga Hockey’s competitions manager, Arnold said it was sometimes difficult to find the time to compete on the field while managing the administrative side off of it.

“That can take up a lot of time, but I won’t stop playing any time soon,” he said.

Arnold will play his 400th game at 11.30am on Sunday at Jubilee Park, a match which will be followed by a well-deserved celebration.