"I couldn't go in," the newly acquired Kings forward said from his home before hopping on a conference call as part of his first media availability with the club. "I just had to stay out there because the fish were biting like crazy for two hours. It was awesome. They were big ones, too."
Instagram from @viktorarvidsson: TB video from when I caught my PR pike 2 years ago! Pretty sick on some ultralight gear!
During the offseason, when he's not training, you're likely to find Arvidsson out on the water, even if he may have something else booked in his calendar.
"I live right on the lake, so I'm out every day trying to catch fish," he said.
Instagram from @viktorarvidsson: Proud of my wife after she landed her biggest pike yet!
While Arvidsson mostly goes after pike, an aggressive cool-water fish found in northern climates, and perch, a popular sport fish, he will sometimes make the trek up to remote lakes in the mountains with his father and brother to try their luck at lake trout.
"We used to go in a helicopter and we would fish for four days out in the middle of nowhere and go back," the Swedish winger explained.
While Arvidsson relishes the challenge of trying to reel in a big one, fishing also helps him reset mentally during the offseason.
"I think it's relaxing for my head and for everything," he said. "I do it to keep my mind off training and off hockey. You need that too."
When you ask Arvidsson what his best fishing story is, he doesn't give you a yarn about a 36-inch pike he spent hours reeling in, instead, he thinks back to that fishing frenzy last summer. And although he acknowledged that he did net some big fish that day, that story is more notable because it illustrates his passion and commitment.
He brings that same determination to the ice. While he is admittedly, a shoot-first type of player, he prides himself on being able to play in any situation. "I play with a lot of intensity," the two-time 30-goal scorer said. "I would go through a wall, if I were to say it like that. I play with a lot of heart."
Although there is still plenty more fishing to be had this summer, Arvidsson is already looking ahead to next season to show his teammates what he can do.
"I'm a player who leads with my actions, so I can't wait to get there and get to know the guys and show them what I can do and what I stand for," he said.
While Arvidsson already knows a few of his new teammates such as Carl Grundstrom, who is from the town over in Sweden, and Adrian Kempe and Lias Andersson, whom he played with at the World Championships in 2018, he is excited about joining the Kings and the direction the team is headed.
"We have young talent and hungry players with older guys who have won before and want to do it again," he said. "I feel really excited about that and feel like it's going to be a fun time."
