Dach dazzles while continuing to develop
Dean Brockman is already looking up to 15-year-old teenager Kirby Dach.
That’s because Dach — the Saskatoon Blades’ first-round Western Hockey League Bantam Draft pick from this spring — has sprouted up to a 6-foot-3 frame.
That’s four or five inches more than last season.
“That only adds to the whole package,” first-year Blades coach Brockman says of Dach, a Fort Saskatchewan product.
“I have to look up to see him, so it’s a great thing.” Dach isn’t complaining, either. “That’s really helped me with my reach in the offensive zone, keeping the puck away from defenders and setting up my teammates,” he says of his new-found height.
‘LOOKS LIKE A PRO, ALREADY’
The Blades brass can’t help but salivate when watching their No. 1 prospect.
While Dach is just 15, he has pro-like prowess if you ask Brockman.
“He looks like a pro, already,” said Brockman, who finally got to see Dach in scrimmage action Friday after Dach’s first skate in Blades blue Thursday.
First impression was very good, too. No shortage of ability and promise.
“Obviously he’s very smooth,” assessed Brockman. “He’s got his head up. He does a lot of things very good.
“He throws the puck in spots where they need to be and certainly for a young guy that makes a huge difference.”
Dach, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, has also added about 25-30 pounds from a year ago. He now weighs 170.
“When you watched him in the fitness competition, there were people circled around him,” pointed out Brockman. “He wants to make people better around him. I think that’s huge.
“So far it’s been just fun to watch how he carries himself … Just his skill-set and mind-set and just his will to compete, that’s what separates him.”
On Friday, Dach dangled and dazzled at times. He nearly netted the game-winner in overtime for Team Mike Green (blue jerseys) against Team Clark (white), just missing on a deke and then a rebound.
“It’s a step up from midget, for sure,” noted Dach. “The pace is a lot faster. Even the camp is a lot faster. I can’t imagine what it’s like in an actual game or even playoff season.”
He’s not old enough to play in the WHL full-time, so Dach will head back to his Fort Saskatchewan midget AAA squad even though he’d like to stay put in Saskatoon with the Blades.
“Last year, I played in the midget league and I kind of out-grew it by the end of the year,” he admits. “I was looking for a new league but I can’t yet.”
He’ll look to play his allowed allotment of affiliated WHL games this season and work on getting bigger, stronger and faster. The usual things.
“Just my skating and getting faster,” he said when asked what he needs to work on. “My shot needs to be improved.”
Dach seems impressed with Saskatoon and the Blades as much as others are impressed with him.
“The way they run their organization is incredible,” assessed Dach. “It’s NHL-like. I’m so fortunate to be here and I can’t wait to get started at 16.”
The Blades can’t hardly wait, either.
BLADES BITS
Team Braden Holtby (White) won the opening scrimmage game Friday 3-2 in overtime over Team Wendel Clark (Grey) with veteran Blades forward Luke Gingras getting all three goals. Gingras also scored later against Team Mike Green (blue). Team Green edged out Team Clark 5-4 in a shootout with Cam Hebig netting the game-winner, his second goal of the game. Wyatt Sloboshan also tallied twice … In the third and final scrimmage, Team Green improved to 2-0 with a 4-3 OT shootout win over Team Clark, which falls to 0-2. Cam Hausinger sniped the winner ... Veterans Libor Hajek (D), Nolan Reid (D) and Brock Hamm (G) were among the walking wounded Friday, taking some time off to heal.
The way they run their organization is incredible ... I’m so fortunate to be here and I can’t wait to get started at 16.