So close. Yet so far away.
One overtime goal separated Cochrane’s Dillon Dubé, and his Kelowna Rockets teammates, from clutching the Memorial Cup.
One. Overtime. Goal.
The sting of the 2-1 loss to Ontario Hockey League-champion Oshawa Generals May 31 in Quebec City still fresh in his mind, the Rockets rookie forward still had the presence of mind to share his experience.
“It’s tough to process,” Dubé admitted after the team loaded the bus with its hockey gear June 1 and was preparing to drive to the airport. “It was the best tournament I’ve ever played in and probably will be the best tournament I’ll ever play in. I knew that coming in.”
The Rockets dominated the Western Hockey League this season, parlaying a 53-win regular season into a league championship. Kelowna swept Brandon Wheat Kings 4-0 in the Western League final series to earn the league’s Memorial Cup berth. The Rockets beat Rimouski and host Quebec at the four-team national tourney, but was unable to solve Oshawa, losing 2-1 to the Generals in the round-robin and in the final.
“Definitely didn’t take anything for granted. It was an experience,” Dubé shared. “All we wanted was to win it all.”
But Dubé can’t let the disappointment of losing Canada’s Major-Junior hockey championship linger. He has to refocus and reload for another run at the Cup in future campaigns. Losing top guns like Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) and Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets) will create opportunities for the 5-foot-10, 175-pound centre, who returns to Kelowna for his second season in the fall. He expects as many as six veteran Rockets players will age out and/or join National Hockey League clubs.
“Losing all these top guys, I have to step up for sure. There are guys we really look up to for sure. I want to be a guy who definitely makes a difference,” Dubé said. “I want to try and be a leader on this team. I think we have lots of guys who can step into that role next year.”
The team, and Dubé’s role on it, may change. But the goal remains the same.
“Obviously, we’re a little upset about the game last night. But right when I was sitting in the dressing room all I could think about was coming back next year,” he said. “All I was thinking about was the team we’re going to have next year. It was trying to flip that switch right away. I know it had just ended, but all I want to do is get back here and win it. It’s a little bit bitter, so I definitely want to be back.”
