There's nothing like failure to spur people on to greatness.
There's nothing like failure to spur people on to greatness.
Last season, the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL) were within grabbing distance of the Memorial Cup, only to be put down in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Oshawa Generals in the final.
This time around, veteran Rockets forward and Cochranite Dillon Dub
é has nothing but ultimate glory on his mind.
“We're just as good if not better than we were last year, ” the 17-year-old Dub
é said. “We've got 14 veterans coming back, and they're all looking to do the same thing: win the Memorial Cup.
“It's been in the back of our minds all season, and now we have a chance to get back there and make things right. ”
The Rockets have been one of the top teams in the WHL all season, clinching second-place in the Western Conference with 100 points and a record of 48-20-4.
That number may be down from the 112 points they recorded in the 2014/15 season, but it's enough to strike fear into the hearts of their opponents, especially the Kamloops Blazers, who the Rockets meet in the first-round of the playoffs.
During regular-season action, the Rockets went 5-3 against the Blazers, and Dub
é is not taking them lightly, especially since Kamloops is going into the playoffs on the back of a nine-game winning streak.
“We're pretty confident, ” he admitted, “Obviously they're pretty hot right now, but throughout the year, we've done enough to be ready for this. We've got a team with a lot of experience and they don't, so hopefully we can take it to them right away.
“We're looking to sweep, but it doesn't matter how many games it takes, our guys are up to the task ”
If his team is confident, then it's only safe to say Dub
é must be on cloud nine after the season he's had.
After picking up 66 points (26 goals, 40 assists) in 65 games during the regular-season, the Cochranite feels that he can only continue to improve.
“It was nice to produce this year, ” he said. “I had a good chance to play with some great line mates. I was looking to come in and be more offensive than I was in my rookie season, and I've done that. ”
What specific aspects does he think he's improved upon since last season?
“I think for myself as well as every other player, everything is about confidence, ” he revealed. “There's a lot of older guys in this league and you have to be ready for that. When you come in as a 16-year-old you lack physical strength, and I feel that's one of my biggest weaknesses since I'm a smaller guy. Still, I feel I've done well this year. ”
When asked what had been the highlight to a sensation season, Dub
é declined to reminiscence about the past and instead chose to live in the present.
“The highlight is right now, ” he said. “The week before playoffs is the biggest thing. Everyone is amped up, and practices are a lot more intense. Today is the biggest day for me.
“One more sleep until the playoffs begin. ”
