It害羞草研究所檚 getting closer to the holiday season and what害羞草研究所檚 the most Canadian tradition? Watching the World Juniors of course!

Black Press Media害羞草研究所檚 Jordy Cunningham sat down with Kelowna Rockets captain Colton Dach about making the Canadian World Juniors team, how the experience has been leading up to the tournament, and more.

Cunningham (C): What was it like being told that you害羞草研究所檙e on the team?

Dach (D): It was obviously surreal, like a moment in my life I害羞草研究所檝e always wanted so it was definitely awesome to get that knock at the door and tell me I was going to be apart of the 2023 World Juniors.

C: What did you feel in that moment and what was the first thing you did?

D: First thing I did was shake their hands [the coaches] and called my parents right after, just all excitement. You know, it was just a proud moment for me.

C: What害羞草研究所檚 the experience been like for you so far leading up to the World Juniors?

D: Yeah right now were just practicing, trying to get in sync with some guys obviously. There害羞草研究所檚 guys that害羞草研究所檝e played with some guys on the team so you害羞草研究所檙e just trying to find that team chemistry and hopefully get ready for Boxing Day.

C: What害羞草研究所檚 it like getting to know the guys? Cause you know a few of the guys playing against them quite regularly but than there害羞草研究所檚 guys from other leagues around the country so what害羞草研究所檚 it like getting to know the guys?

D: Yeah, it害羞草研究所檚 awesome. I think anytime you can come to tournaments like this and meet new guys, make new friends, it害羞草研究所檚 awesome. I think it expands your horizon a little bit so its nice to meet new guys obviously and they害羞草研究所檙e a good group of guys.

C: Boxing Day, December 26th, first game of the tournament, you害羞草研究所檙e playing Czechia. Are you going to give your Kelowna Rockets teammate Gabriel Szturc a run in that game?

D: (laughs) I害羞草研究所檓 going to let him know were playing against him so he害羞草研究所檚 definitely going to know that I害羞草研究所檓 on the other side for sure.

C: How excited are you that he害羞草研究所檚 there as well at the tournament?

D: Yeah I know, it害羞草研究所檚 awesome that he gets to represent his country as well. You know it害羞草研究所檚 something we were joking about when the invitations came out, we were chirping back and forth but you know it害羞草研究所檚 going to be a fun game obviously for the few of us and can害羞草研究所檛 wait for it.

C: How many friends and family are you going to have in attendance all tournament long?

D: I think there害羞草研究所檚 a few friends and family, obviously my parents are coming down, a few aunts and uncles. Some of my buddies aren害羞草研究所檛 really going to make the trip out here but they said they害羞草研究所檙e going to be watching on tv.

C: What does it mean to you to dawn the red and white and maple leaf for your country?

D: Yeah it害羞草研究所檚 something I害羞草研究所檝e never had the opportunity to do before so I害羞草研究所檓 really thankful I get this chance to do that.

C: What are your expectations going into the tournament? Obviously Canada害羞草研究所檚 expectations are always high, the highest they can be but what are your expectations going into the tournament?

D: Yeah obviously our expectations are to win gold. I think that害羞草研究所檚 something we preach all the time is you know, being team first and win the championship so I think that害羞草研究所檚 something everyday when we wake up we害羞草研究所檙e practicing to do that.

害羞草研究所�

Dach and Team Canada open the 2023 World Juniors on Boxing Day, Dec. 26 at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time against Czechia.

Canada is in Group A with Czechia, Sweden, Germany, and Austria.

This year害羞草研究所檚 championship is taking place in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick.

READ MORE: Kelowna Rockets Dach to debut at World Juniors

READ MORE: Kelowna Rocket headed to Czechia camp

jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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