For Cochrane kids who love hockey, there aren’t many better role models than Dillon Dubé.
The 17-year-old Kelowna Rockets centre was recently selected 56th overall by the Calgary Flames – his boyhood team – in the second round of the NHL Draft.
“It’s a pretty cool feeling,” Dubé said. “I felt like I would be in the second round and I was happy with where I went.
“The whole year I had pressure to be a first rounder, and that’s probably why I didn’t go to the draft. I know a lot of guys get the spotlight and the cameras are always on you. I just wanted to stay home with my family and enjoy it more.”
Dubé – who stands 5’10”, 182 lbs – has come a long way since his days of playing for the Bow Valley Timberwolves in town. At 14, he left home to play at the famed Notre Dame prep school in Saskatchewan, a move he credits with his current success.
“That was a big step for me,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anything like Notre Dame. I personally believe it’s the highest quality of school. They have you on the ice every day, which is huge for development. I have to give them a lot of credit.”
He also credits his parents for the unwaivering support and belief they shown in his abilities.
“They’ve been the most supportive,” he said. “They sent me to Notre Dame and have done everything to get me this far, I couldn’t ask for more.”
From Notre Dame, he moved onto the WHL where he made his debut for the Rockets in the 2014/15 season after being picked 21st overall in the first round of the bantam draft.
After picking up 27 points (17 goals, 10 assists) in 45 games, the Golden-B.C. born forward and his Rockets teammates were heartbreakingly halted at the final hurddle as they lost the Memorial Cup final 2-1 to the Oshawa Generals in overtime.
“Last year was a good experience for me,” he related. “I had to look up to a lot of guys who helped me with my game. This year I played a lot more minutes, which helped me rack up a lot of points. I got to play with some really good players like (teammate) Tyson Baillie and we built a lot of chemistry.”
Dubé doubled his productivity this past season smashing in 66 points (26 goals, 40 assists) in 65 games, but the Rockets were unable to reach the Memorial Cup in Red Deer.
Being a centre who is under six feet has some people doubting whether Dubé can make it at the highest level, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in cunning, determination, speed, and work ethic.
He has excellent offensive awareness, but isn’t afraid to get in the middle of scrums and mix things up.
“I’m an undersized guy, but I feel like I’m very fast,” he said. “The biggest thing for me is strength, with the Memorial Cup last year, I didn’t have a lot of time to take off for training. So, this summer I really need to gain a couple pounds.
“It’ll be a tough challenge, but I’m looking to overcome that and become a player in the NHL.”
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