Hometown boy and Kelowna Rockets forward Dillon Dubč has been named captain of Team WHL (Western Hockey League) ahead of the CIBC Canada-Russia Series taking place Nov. 6 through to Nov. 16.
The series is a six-game showcase between the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and the Russian Under 20 junior squad prior to the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships taking place in Buffalo, New York, during the Christmas holidays. The CHL has squads representing the WHL, as well as the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)… each CHL team will play two games each against the Russian selects.
Dubč, who suited up for Canada’s silver-medal-winning squad at last year’s World Junior’s in Toronto and Montreal was very excited when he heard the news of being named captain for Team WHL.
“It’s crazy, I’m just fortunate enough to obviously make the team … that was great news … To have the chance to be captain, I was kind of shocked but at the same time I was kind of expecting a leadership role just obviously with the World Junior’s coming up,” Dubč said.
“I’m definitely very honoured, and it’s something I never thought of when I first broke into the league. I was just hoping to make the team one day, and I was lucky enough to be able to be named captain.”
Joining Dubč are Calgary Hitmen defencemen Jake Bean, as well as Brandon Wheat Kings defencemen Kale Clauge. All three played for Canada last Christmas and Dubč said it’s important for them to bring leadership qualities to Team WHL.
“For myself it’s still going to be a new process. I’ve never played in the Canada-Russia series before, so I’m not really sure what to expect,” Dubč said.
“But majority of this is just a tryout for the World Junior team, so just kind of let the newer guys know that. It’s a good way to get comfortable now with the guys you aren’t too familiar with because they’re going to be your teammates going to battle with you come Christmas time in December. So for the returning guys, just relay the message to treat this as a tryout, rather than an all-star game.”
Dubč also highlighted the fact these games are a good way to prepare for the Russians, as well as other teams that Team Canada might take on come Boxing Day.
“Russia is a big, fast team … obviously that was the thing I was most surprised about last year was how big they are, and they’re a team that can surprise you and turn it on for 10 minutes and go score a couple goals. You really have to be on your toes,” Dubč said.
“With the European teams it’s a different style of hockey almost. They like to play fast, quick and it’s not like the Canadian style of crash and bang … they like to slow the game down and be more finesse-y. It’s pretty fun to play in, so I think it’s a good start with it getting a little closer to Christmas time.”
Team WHL will play the first two games of the series on Nov. 6 at Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw, Sask., and Nov. 7 at the Credit Union I-Plex in Swift Current, Sask.
