The season that directly follows being drafted to an NHL team is crucial. A National Hockey League team has just chosen you over any of the other available players; they are counting on you to perform and to become the player that they need to fill a spot on their team. Playing to the best of your abilities and training to overcome your weaknesses in your post-draft year is key.

Dillon Dube knows this, and he is making sure that he delivers in his post-draft season and shows the Calgary Flames that they made the right choice last June. Born and raised in Cochrane, Alberta, just outside of Calgary, Dube grew up at the pulse of Flames fandom and being drafted by, essentially, his hometown team was a dream come true for the 18-year-old.

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“It was the biggest accomplishment I've had,” expressed Dube.

“I moved away at 14, so I think it just happened to work out and I couldn't be happier to be a part of such a great organization.”

Dube’s post-draft year has presented him with incredible opportunity. First, Dube headed to the Young Stars Classic tournament in Penticton to show off his skills for his new team and compete against some of the best young talent in North America. After a successful Young Stars event, Dube made his way to Flames’ main camp, but his time there was limited to one game as he suffered a knee injury and returned to Kelowna.

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Once he returned to the ice in November, Dube impressed with seven points in his first four games back. It was no surprise to Rockets fans that he was soon after named to Team Canada for the World Junior Championships. It was an experience that Dube will never forget.


“It's hard to describe,” said Dube of his time with Team Canada. “Just having my family and all the support from everyone that has gotten me there, it was the biggest honour. It sure helped having character guys, like Connor Ingram, to bring everybody closer and take some tension off when the pressure was the highest.”

Since returning to the Rockets lineup with a World Juniors silver medal, Dube has continued to impress with 12 points in nine games, including his first WHL hat trick. Despite all of this success, Dube still notices his weaknesses and plans to improve upon them as he makes his case to fill a spot on the Flames’ roster.

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“Being a young guy, I still need to get stronger off ice and be able to handle myself against men. [I need] to be able to skate with the puck and control it at the next level,” explained Dube.

When asked what sets Dube apart from other players, former teammate and linemate Tyson Baillie had this to say: “One thing you notice about Dillon is his stride. He has a powerful, but effortless stride. And of course, his shot. Backhand and forehead are just deadly.”

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Joining the team at just 16-years-old, Dube is grateful to the Kelowna Rockets for the opportunity that they have given him to grow as a player. He spoke highly of the team, stating that, “The chance they have given every player to succeed is huge. They do really want to get every player to the next level.”

As long he can avoid injury, Dube is sure to shine at Flames’ main camp next fall, and although we love seeing him in red and teal, we can’t wait to see him donning the flaming ‘C’ soon.

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Fun Facts:

Why do you wear number 19?
I showed up when I was 15 and that's the number that was in my stall. My favourite number is 9, but I was very happy to wear 19 because my favourite player was Joe Sakic.

What is the most memorable moment you’ve had with the Rockets so far?
My most memorable moment with the Rockets would be winning the league in my first year and being able to play alongside Gage Quinney and Tyson Baillie.

When you realize you promised everyone in the crowd corn dogs #jackiemoon #flinttropicmegabowl

A photo posted by Dillon Dubé (@dillondube) on


If you were stranded on a desert island, which teammate could you count on to get you home?
Nick Merkley. I would take Nick Merkdaddy to a desert island because I know he will put in the effort to get off as fast as possible, and he is a guy who I never fight with so we would be able to spend lots of hours to together.

If you weren’t playing hockey, what career path would you be interested in?
If I never played hockey I would want to become a detective.

 

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