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Rockets91Ƶ duo in zone at Young Stars Classic

Dillon Dube and Kole Lind both find the scoresheet for their respective NHL teams in Penticton
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Emanuel Sequeira/Black Press Kelowna Rockets91Ƶ teammates Kole Lind (left) and Dillon Dube faced each other in the Young Stars Classic in Penticton while playing with their respective NHL teams, the Canucks and Flames.

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 what91Ƶs 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 Flames91Ƶ lone goal in a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

91ƵJust play my game and feel that I can fit in,91Ƶ Dube said of his main objective at his second Young Stars Classic. 91ƵObviously, it91Ƶs going to be different at main camp with all the pros there, they91Ƶve been there for a long time and I just want to be able to be confident with them and show that I91Ƶm pushing for a spot in a couple of years.91Ƶ

, 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 Friday91Ƶs 4-2 win over Winnipeg.

91ƵIt 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,91Ƶ Lind said. 91ƵI think we would have liked to have had a couple more wins, but it was a great time all around.

91ƵI felt good out there, I felt fresh for the new year, not as rusty as I usually do,91Ƶ Lind added. 91ƵIt 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 spot91Ƶit felt good.91Ƶ

With the departure of key veteran high-scoring forwards Nick Merkley, Calvin Thurkauf and Reid Gardiner from last year91Ƶs club, both Dube and Lind will be key to the Rockets91Ƶ success in 2017-18.

Rockets91Ƶ assistant coach Kris Mallette said the two second-round NHL picks will be front and centre for the WHL club this season.

91ƵDillon 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,91Ƶ said Mallette. 91ƵThey91Ƶre not our only guys but are definitely in a group of players we91Ƶre going to lean on in all situations, kind of our go-to guys.

91ƵHopefully they won91Ƶt take too much added pressure on themselves, and if they do that and just play their games, they91Ƶll be fine.91Ƶ

As for Dube91Ƶs second appearance at an NHL camp and Lind91Ƶs first, Mallette said the experience can only be a benefit to both the players and the Rockets.

91ƵI think it91Ƶs a confidence booster for them,91Ƶ Mallette said. 91ƵThese guys are trying to make that next step and it gives them confidence knowing they91Ƶre able to have success at that level.

91ƵThey 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. We91Ƶre on the same page, we want them to continually improve so the day will come they can move on and play pro.91Ƶ

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.

whenderson@kelownacapnews.com





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