was under no illusions he乌鸦传媒檇 be starting his pro hockey career this season.
That made for a much softer landing when the 19-year-old forward was returned to the this week by the NHL乌鸦传媒檚 Calgary Flames.
乌鸦传媒淚t was the right decision, obviously I would have liked to stay there a little longer, but I knew I was going to come back to Kelowna,乌鸦传媒� Dube said Wednesday at Prospera Place. 乌鸦传媒淏ut I think it乌鸦传媒檚 the right time to come back, I didn乌鸦传媒檛 want be away from everybody too long.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 great, nice to be coming back to a good team, hopefully I can create a little more energy, a little more offense for them and hopefully make a big run for it this year.乌鸦传媒�
For Dube, a second-round draft pick of the Flames in 2016, it was his second camp with the NHL club. The Cochrane, AB native earned plenty of positive reviews for his play and is forecast to be a key player in the organization for years to come.
But for now, Dube is firmly focused on his goals for the 2017-18 season乌鸦传媒攈elping the Rockets win.
乌鸦传媒淔or me this year, it乌鸦传媒檚 all team goals,乌鸦传媒� said Dube, who was appointed one of the Rockets乌鸦传媒� three alternate captains this season. 乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 my last kick at the can and I want to win. Obviously, we乌鸦传媒檝e had a great start so far, and I haven乌鸦传媒檛 been able to watch them or been around much at camp. I乌鸦传媒檝e talked to lots of guys and we乌鸦传媒檙e looking really good right now.乌鸦传媒�
In an injury-abbreviated 2016-17 WHL season shortened to just 40 games, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound forward still found a way to pile up 55 points.
, for one, is excited to see what stronger, savvier Dube will bring to the club this season, both on and off the ice.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 exciting any time you add a player of Dillon乌鸦传媒檚 calibre,乌鸦传媒� said Smith. 乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 going to be a key offensive player for us, and he乌鸦传媒檚 made large improvements in his all-around game.
乌鸦传媒淒illon乌鸦传媒檚 a great character guy, he brings energy to the rink, he has fun on the ice and has a real positive vibe,乌鸦传媒� Smith added. 乌鸦传媒淵ou乌鸦传媒檙e not only adding an elite player but a quality person.乌鸦传媒�
In addition to be committed to helping the Rockets win in 2017-18, Dube has one specific personal goal in mind乌鸦传媒攎aking the Canadian junior team乌鸦传媒檚 roster for the second year in a row.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 nice being a returner but there乌鸦传媒檚 so many good kids in Canada that can easily take your spot,乌鸦传媒� said Dube,乌鸦传媒� so I gotta be in there and take it as a trial like I did last year and do whatever I can to make the team.乌鸦传媒�
Dube will make his season debut with the Rockets (2-0-0-) Friday at home to the Everett Silvertips. Face off at Prospera Place is 7:05 p.m.
whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
