 Arbour came up through the Boston Bruins organization, but only played 6 games in Boston before being sold to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1968.He appeared in 17 games for the Penguins in 1968–69, but found himself in the WHL for 1969–70 with the Vancouver Canucks.After a fine season in Vancouver, Arbour was one of 6 players to remain a Vancouver Canuck when the team became an NHL franchise the following year.