Dube heads to AHL’s Heat with positive attitude
Flames forward says he doesn’t see his optioning to Stockton as a demotion
Playing in the NHL is the culmination of a dream, usually the reward after years of hard work.
The perks are nice: first-class travel, five-star hotels, a handsome salary. Playing among the best in the world isn’t too bad either.
For the last two months, Dillon Dube was living that dream as a 20-year-old centre. At this time last year, Dube was toiling with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League and preparing to lead the Canadian world junior team to a gold medal.
But realizing the bigger picture — the fact that Dube wants to have a long, successful career living his dream as a top-six forward with the Calgary Flames — was at the forefront of his mind when he was dispatched Thursday to the Stockton Heat of the American Hockey League.
A demotion this is not.
“I don’t think it’s disappointing at all,” said the Cochrane native as he headed to the Calgary International Airport Thursday afternoon. “I came into camp and wanted to make the opening day roster. But I don’t want to be a fourth-line player in the NHL. I want to be a top guy that plays in all situations. If not as a 20-year-old, it’s going to come soon, so I need to get there as quick as I can.
“This is the right way to do it.” That was exactly how the Flames framed it. Ten days ago, head coach Bill Peters had asked a rhetorical question during a pre-game media scrum, wondering if the team was doing the “right thing for him as a first-year pro.”
As of Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars, he’d averaged 10 minutes 16 seconds of ice time in 20 games played. He started the year on the team’s third line with James Neal and Derek Ryan, but has since dropped to the team’s fourth line.
The Flames are investing long term in Dube’s development and want him playing more meaningful, consistent minutes among their top players. That also includes a main presence on both special teams units and Peters explained on Thursday that he wants Dube to utilize his speed and hockey sense on the penalty kill.
It’s no use being a spare part at the NHL level when you have a future as bright as Dube’s.
As dynamic and prolific as his pre-season was — scoring four goals and two assists on top of showcasing his speed and versatility — a few unfortunate injuries derailed that momentum somewhat.
And given the way that things have shaken out since the puck dropped in October, a spot in the top-six group simply isn’t available for him at the NHL level.
The team laid it out for him on Thursday.
“You’ve been real good, but we don’t have enough ice time for you currently,” said Peters on how he explained the decision to Dube. “So go down there, it’s a good league. You’ve been in the (NHL). Now you have to go down there and establish yourself and play lots of good, quality minutes … He’s gotta go down and play well and he will. He’s a mature kid. He had a good training camp, a good start to his season, got banged up a couple of times and missed some time. Now the minutes aren’t where they need to be for a first-year pro, that’s the bottom line.”
And, sure, the lights of the NHL are bright.
But Dube, who has one goal and four assists in 20 games, knows this is the best thing for him.
“I think I saw it coming to a certain point, I just wasn’t playing enough for a young guy,” Dube said. “I’m happy with that and we talked about it. We made the right decision. It was tough. I got to know the guys and it’s tough leaving the team. But I need to look at my development, too, and go from there.
“I think I’m just excited for the opportunity to start playing some hockey.”
The AHL assignment may not be a life sentence, either. Peters has high expectations for the kid.
“I think he’s going to be a top-six forward,” said the Flames head coach. “That’s what I see right now. Then, as you look at our depth chart, where is that going to be? Is it going to be as a centreman? Is it going to be as a right-winger? Is it going to be a left-winger? If it’s going to be as a left-winger, now all of a sudden you’re going to be competing with Johnny (Gaudreau) and Chucky (Matthew Tkachuk), right? So have some versatility to your game, play the off-wing a little bit.”
Dube is viewing this move in a positive light.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be there … but they’ll know the right amount of time when they see where I’m at,” Dube said. “It’s tough if there are no spots really open and it’s going to be kind of the same thing. Being able to play (in Stockton) will be exciting. Their staff is awesome. I worked with (assistant coach) Dom Pittis in the summer and (head coach) Cail (MacLean) through the previous years.
“They ’re incredible there, so I’m excited for my development to be with them.”
And whether it’s the NHL or AHL, his mission is simple.
“Wherever I play, I always want to be the best I can regardless if it’s the NHL, American Hockey League,” Dube said. “I think whatever I do, I want to be the best like any hockey player does. So it doesn’t really change my look on anything, but it’s just exciting. Now I know I’m getting closer to it.”