Dube returns from injury to power Canada past Swiss in final tuneup
HAMILTON — Only Dillon Dube thought he was sluggish after missing two weeks with an injured shoulder. To everyone else, he was the best player on the ice.
Dube scored twice and added an assist to power Canada past Switzerland 8-1 on Friday in a final pre-tournament exhibition game before the world junior hockey championship.
It was Dube’s first game for Canada after missing all three games at selection camp and Wednesday’s 9-0 win over the Czech Republic. The Calgary Flames prospect had been out after injuring his shoulder while playing for the Western Hockey League’s Kelowna Rockets on Dec. 9.
“At the start I was a little heavy, getting my legs back under me and into game shape,” said Dube. “I’ve been skating a lot throughout this time off, doing a little bit extra, so the cardio is there but I’m getting into game shape.
“Overall, I thought it was a good 60 minutes.”
Dube had 18 goals and 21 assists in 27 games for Kelowna this season before his injury. As one of seven players returning from Canada’s silver-medal roster last year, head coach Dominique Ducharme has been counting on the 19-year-old forward to be a leader on and off the ice.
Ducharme is also expecting Dube to produce offensively, putting him on a line with Ontario Hockey League points leader Jordan Kyrou and reigning WHL player of the year Sam Steel.
“He was himself,” said Ducharme of Dube’s performance. “Speed, skills. We can see that even though it was his first game with Kyrou and Steel you can see the chemistry building and I think it’s really positive. It can only keep going.”
Tyler Steenbergen also had a pair of goals for Canada, including the eventual winner. Kyrou, Jake Bean, Drake Batherson and Kale Clague also scored for Canada in front of 12,562 at FirstOntario Centre.
Carter Hart started in net for Canada, making three saves in a scoreless first period. Colton Point took over after the intermission, stopping 3-of-4 shots.
“We’re a defence-focused team this year and I think we’re proving that right now,” said Point.