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Dube's return bolsters Kelowna Rockets

18-year-old centre has three assists Saturday in first game of the WHL season following knee injury
Prince Albert Raiders v Kelowna Rockets
Dillon Dube returned to the Kelowna Rockets lineup Saturday after missing seven weeks with a knee injury.

Having to wait an extra seven weeks to join his teammates was a sobering reality for Dillon Dube.

Being back on the ice with his Kelowna Rockets has simply confirmed what the 18-year-old centre already knew to be true.

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵԨ´Ç³Ü just realize how much you miss it, how much fun it is to be playing the ²µ²¹³¾±ð,91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ said Dube.

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœE±¹±ð²Ô the warm-up, being back with the guys, it makes you feel part of it again. ±õ³Ù91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s great to be ²ú²¹³¦°ì.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ

Dube returned to the ¸é´Ç³¦°ì±ð³Ù²õ91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ lineup on Saturday night and promptly put up three assists in a 7-1 win over the visiting Prince Albert Raiders.

It was ¶Ù³Ü²ú±ð91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s first game since late September when the Calgary ¹ó±ô²¹³¾±ð²õ91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ prospect suffered a knee injury in an exhibition game against the Edmonton Oilers.

Seven weeks of thorough rehab followed, and while it required patience and ±è±ð°ù²õ¾±²õ³Ù±ð²Ô³¦±ð91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ”w¾±³Ù³ó the help of ¸é´Ç³¦°ì±ð³Ù²õ91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ athletic therapist, Scott ±á´Ç²â±ð°ù91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¼·³Ü²ú±ð stayed both focused and positive.

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵÂÙ¾±³Ù³Ù¾±²Ô²µ around was rough, but you realize you ³¦²¹²Ô91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t change anything, so you do what you have to do to get ²ú²¹³¦°ì,91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ said Dube, who missed 27 games in his rookie season with an ankle injury.

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵÂÙ³¦´Ç³Ù³Ù Hoyer and I have worked together on injuries before and he got me up and going the best and quickest way he ³¦´Ç³Ü±ô»å.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ

Dube said ³ó±ð91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s happy to be finally getting a chance to play for new ¸é´Ç³¦°ì±ð³Ù²õ91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ head coach Jason Smith.

From ³§³¾¾±³Ù³ó91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s perspective, ³ó±ð91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s understandably pleased to have Dube back in the ¸é´Ç³¦°ì±ð³Ù²õ91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ arsenal.

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœH±ð91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s going to be a key component of us having success going ´Ú´Ç°ù·É²¹°ù»å,91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ Smith said of Dube.

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœH±ð91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s obviously got elite puck skills and vision for the game.

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœH±ð91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s very quick and ³ó±ð91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s a dynamic guy, plus ³ó±ð91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s really looking forward to growing his game and being a 200-foot ±è±ô²¹²â±ð°ù.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ

Dube and the Rockets will host the Prince George Cougars tonight at Prospera Place. Face-off is 7:05 p.m.

 





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