MOD -- MATTAWAN, Mich. - A 21-year-old soldier from west Michigan who was killed in a blast along with three others from his unit in Iraq was remembered as competitive, honest and hardworking.

Army Pfc. James L. Arnold, of Mattawan, died Thursday when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat operations in Baghdad, the Defense Department confirmed Saturday.

A 2004 graduate of Mattawan High School who played high school hockey, Arnold was remembered as a true sportsman.

"He was one of the best all around people that I had in my experience coaching," Pete Gildea, who coached Arnold for about two years, told the Kalamazoo Gazette. "He was just a good kid to be around. He had a great sense of humor.

"He was a very honest, hardworking kid."

Dave Agnew, who also coached him, said Arnold remained interested in his former team.

Even after Arnold had graduated, Agnew said, "he was always coming up and shaking my hand. He wanted to see how the team was doing. He was interested in the success of the program."

Family members declined to comment.

Staff Sgt. Blake M. Harris, 27, of Hampton, Ga.; Staff Sgt. Terry W. Prater, 25, of Speedwell, Tenn.; and Sgt. Emerson N. Brand, 29, of Rigby, Idaho, also were killed in the blast.

All four were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division based at Fort Hood, Texas.

Mattawan is in Van Buren County about 10 miles southwest of Kalamazoo.