One day, Dillon Dube and Kole Lind plan to play in the National Hockey League.
The linemates each gave their respective teams a precursor of what害羞草研究所檚 to come at the Young Stars Classic over the weekend in Penticton.
, 19, a second-round pick of the Calgary Flames in 2016, is attending his second NHL training camp.
On Monday, the Cochrane, AB native closed out the Penticton tourney with the Flames害羞草研究所� lone goal in a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
害羞草研究所淛ust play my game and feel that I can fit in,害羞草研究所� Dube said of his main objective at his second Young Stars Classic. 害羞草研究所淥bviously, it害羞草研究所檚 going to be different at main camp with all the pros there, they害羞草研究所檝e been there for a long time and I just want to be able to be confident with them and show that I害羞草研究所檓 pushing for a spot in a couple of years.害羞草研究所�
, 18, a second round-draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks, made an auspicious debut at his first pro camp, registering two assists and adding an empty net goal in Friday害羞草研究所檚 4-2 win over Winnipeg.
害羞草研究所淚t was a really cool time, had a lot of fun out here, to throw on a Canucks jersey for the first time was definitely special,害羞草研究所� Lind said. 害羞草研究所淚 think we would have liked to have had a couple more wins, but it was a great time all around.
害羞草研究所淚 felt good out there, I felt fresh for the new year, not as rusty as I usually do,害羞草研究所� Lind added. 害羞草研究所淚t helps to have a little better players out here that can make the game a lot easier for you for always being in the right spot害羞草研究所t felt good.害羞草研究所�
With the departure of key veteran high-scoring forwards Nick Merkley, Calvin Thurkauf and Reid Gardiner from last year害羞草研究所檚 club, both Dube and Lind will be key to the Rockets害羞草研究所� success in 2017-18.
Rockets害羞草研究所� assistant coach Kris Mallette said the two second-round NHL picks will be front and centre for the WHL club this season.
害羞草研究所淒illon and Kole had prominent roles in our top six last year and we expect both to come back and show us an added level of play and lead by example,害羞草研究所� said Mallette. 害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檙e not our only guys but are definitely in a group of players we害羞草研究所檙e going to lean on in all situations, kind of our go-to guys.
害羞草研究所淗opefully they won害羞草研究所檛 take too much added pressure on themselves, and if they do that and just play their games, they害羞草研究所檒l be fine.害羞草研究所�
As for Dube害羞草研究所檚 second appearance at an NHL camp and Lind害羞草研究所檚 first, Mallette said the experience can only be a benefit to both the players and the Rockets.
害羞草研究所淚 think it害羞草研究所檚 a confidence booster for them,害羞草研究所� Mallette said. 害羞草研究所淭hese guys are trying to make that next step and it gives them confidence knowing they害羞草研究所檙e able to have success at that level.
害羞草研究所淭hey know coming back (to the Rockets) and working hard will help them meet the expectations that come from the pro level. The message is the same from us as it is from their NHL teams. We害羞草研究所檙e on the same page, we want them to continually improve so the day will come they can move on and play pro.害羞草研究所�
Dube and Lind are among 10 Rockets currently at NHL training camps.
The Rockets will open the WHL regular season Friday, Sept. 22 at home to the Kamloops Blazers.
