LOOKING FOR REDEMPTION

Dillon Dube expects to be ready.
"I'm getting really close to 100%,'' reports the Cochrane-born Flames draft choice, readying for the upcoming world junior hockey championships in Buffalo. "It's just precautionary now, in order to be there for the tournament.
"Right now is just exhibition so we're taking things carefully.
"I've played games through it, played a lot of hockey before this in some pain. I was still able to play and still be able to perform the way I wanted. Obviously just getting this break has really helped.
"So I'll be fine to go."
Returning to junior from a solid showing at Flames' camp in September, Dube has nursed a sore shoulder through a good portion of the Kelowna Rockets' WHL season. He's a returnee from last year's silver-medal-winning team which was defeated by the Americans in a shootout at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

"To lose like that hurt at the time,'' Dube admits. "I can't lie. But looking back, the opportunity to be on that team was pretty incredible. Just to be able to play in a game like that, in front of that crowd … you can't put it into words.
"But, yeah, the way it turned out definitely fuels the fire for this tournament and particularly with the (U.S.) being at home this time."

Ex-Flame Tim Hunter, head coach of the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors, returns, too, as an assistant coach for the Canadians.
"I'd had one glimpse, coaching against him in one game in the Western Hockey League,'' says Hunter. "Just a real dynamic, fast, skilled player. That was pretty obvious, even from one look.
"Then I got to work with him at the world junior. We had a little more skill up front than him, so he played third-fourth line group for us last year, doing a lot of penalty-killing and being put into more of a checking role.
"But they were actually our most productive line 5-on-5 because they really did a good job on the details of the game, where Dubes really excelled. He's a details-oriented guy.
"Obviously, this year - second-year at the world juniors - his game has really improved. He's faster, has more bite to his game and his shot's improved. So he'll definitely play on one of our top offensive lines, maybe a little bit of penalty-kill and probably be relied on more on the powerplay."
Hunter sees a bright NHL future ahead for Dube.

"For sure. He has the make-up, the skill set, the mind and he's a real professional at what he does. A treat to coach.
"You see those attributes, and knowing what it takes to be an NHL player, he's definitely trending in that direction."
The expectations of the 2017 tournament, being staged as it was in Toronto/Montreal, were a lot to process for a first-timer to the event.
"Last year, being at home, was crazy,'' says Dube. "Just to be able to deal with all the pressure. Hard to handle all that but obviously having been through it, knowing you can handle it, is nice to know.
"Last year, I was just a lower-end guy the media wasn't even considering. Nobody paid much attention. I couldn't imagine being Stromer (Dylan Strome) or (Matthew) Barzal. They went through a lot.
"You turn on the TV and it's all about them. That can be too much for some kids but those guys handled it great.
"Being on the outside, you observe how they went through it all and kinda take notes."
The venue shift to Buffalo certainly changes the complexion of things.
"Easier? Harder? I think it goes both ways,'' says Dube. "Takes a little pressure off, I guess, but being at home gives you that extra feel, too. Home crowd, I've gotta say, is pretty incredible.
"It'll definitely be a little bit different on the road this year. But we're so close to Toronto, you never know how the crowd might be.
"For me, knowing there are more expectations personally, it's a question of not getting too high or too low through the whole process."