Dinamo Minsk has strengthened promisingly before the start of the new season. While the club still has problems with the goaltending line, the defense and offence are more confident. Provided every hockey player is available, the Belarusian club has a quality line of defense players from North America.
The offensive line also inspires good hopes. The legendary Vadim Shipachyov broke into the Zubr camp and will be a good media asset in the race for KHL records. If the Russian forward's game doesn't go well, the fans' hopes are pinned on Canadian Dillon Dubé.
The ex-Calgary forward has six years of experience in Canada. The KHL is an opportunity to reboot after a not quite good last season, which was ruined by a January injury. In an interview with pressball.by, Dube talked about moving to a new continent, his friendship with Sharangovich and his choice of playing number.
- What were your first emotions about moving to a new country on a new continent?
- They were diverse. The road to Minsk was long, you have to get used to the time zone change. Then, as soon as I arrived in Belarus, I settled down in my apartment.
My first impression of Minsk is that it is a beautiful, clean city, I am happy to be here! Very nice and friendly people. True, not everyone here knows English, but this is not a problem in communication.
Honestly, I have enjoyed the first time I am in the city. It's a great luck to be in a KHL club exactly in Minsk, considering all the conditions and advantages provided.
- How was your first meeting with the fans?
- It was great! They are so full of passion for the club and hockey, it's energizing. I hope we can get them more wins as the season progresses so they have something to celebrate and be happy about.
When you see such passionate fans, their energy transfers to the team locker room and helps at the beginning of the season when things are just starting. It's especially nice that the club is represented by many foreigners who also feel energized by the fans and responsible for the result.
- You've already played a game at Minsk Arena, what can you say about it?
- Minsk Arena is very cool, similar to the ones I played in at the NHL level. It seems to me that there are still places in the sports complex that I haven't explored yet, but what I've seen impresses me. The comfort inside, the layout, the equipment - it then affects the results and preparation for matches. Top level, it's a pleasure to be here, it's a great luck.
- Did you know anything about Belarus and the KHL before moving here?
- Yes, I knew that it's the best European league, it's called the second in the world after the NHL. I heard about Belarus thanks to Egor Sharangovich, we played for Calgary last year, we have good relations. He told me how everything is organised here, what teams there are in the KHL.
I also talked a lot with my friend Rob Hamilton, asked Nick Merkley, who spent two seasons in Minsk, about Dynamo. Both of them share a warm feeling with the city, they liked it.
For me it's also a special moment in my life, after all it's a move to another continent. At first this way will not be easy. I feel comfort and warmth from Dynamo, so the adaptation is going very well.
- Yegor Sharangovich is now in Minsk. Have you met him? Maybe you planned excursions around the city?
- Yes, we met and went to the exhibition, where we stayed all day, it was very interesting. In general, Egor told me almost everything you need to know in Minsk. Where you can go for a walk, where to eat, what sights there are.
It's great when you have a familiar person in the city, ready to tell you a lot, and most importantly, to show you. That is why my girlfriend and I are very grateful to Egor and his wife for introducing us to Minsk.
- How did you come up with the idea to move to the KHL and why Minsk?
- I had an opportunity to come here, show my game and become a part of a good team in the KHL. I had to think about it carefully. I've heard a lot of good things about the league from many people who have played here for many years. Almost everyone has said that everything is great here.
This summer I was deciding where I wanted to play, and luckily I managed it... It was important for me to move to a competitive team that would solve high tasks, and my choice fell on such a club.
- Last season was a bit of a letdown. Injury in January and poor performance. Is the KHL a good chance to reset?
- I think so, I'm confident. Last season was tough, but I also have six years in the NHL at a high level. Slumps happen, it's normal, especially because of injuries.
I had a good summer preparation for the season, so I believe that the first official games since January will be at a high level for me. Also, we have a lot of newcomers in the team, so the first time will be spent on honing my co-operation on the ice.
- Have you had any other offers from KHL clubs?
- Honestly, we talked to my agent in the summer and immediately considered the option of moving to Minsk. We discussed all the details of my move, whether it would be possible to agree on a deal. As soon as the move started, I didn't consider other options, I wanted to get a foothold in the negotiations with the team I chose.
- You chose No. 19, although you played in Calgary under No. 29. In the WHL league there was just the current number 19. Is that your favourite number?
- I don't really have a favourite number. I played with a nine most of the time, and when I moved to the Kelowna Rockets, they gave me a 19. In my Calgary days, the 19 was taken and the nine was permanently assigned to Lanny McDonald. I figured I could still upgrade my number and became 29th.
I'm not that sentimental about numbers, but in Minsk I decided to go back to 19th. For me, it's a symbol of my development in junior hockey and the countdown from the level when I became an NHL player. That number kind of brings me back to my youth, so I settled on the 19th jersey.
- What can you say about the team? There are both foreigners and young Belarusian players. Did anyone catch your eye at the first training sessions?
- In general, every player in our team impresses with his level. However, it's more important how we show ourselves at the matches. At the training session everyone gives their best, shows what they can do, it turns out to be very good and skilful.
There were times when young players taught me something new, which is impressive. Everyone can learn from everyone. Dynamo young hockey players are not inferior to the level of North America in terms of technique and dedication. Therefore, the main thing is to develop talents.
- At the moment, are there any forwards you'd like to play in a trio together?
- It will be a decision of the coaching staff. I'm ready to play with anyone, the main thing is that our lineup is useful and gives points. It doesn't matter if it's a foreigner or a Belarusian.
Another issue is chemistry and interaction, it takes some time to establish these components of the game. I'm open to any options that will lead to a good result. Everything is in the hands of the coaching staff.
- You have played both on the left and in the centre of attack. Where do you like it more?
- About 30% of my career I was in the centre. It's not your pure position that matters here, but how you interact with your trio, where everyone is on the move and open for a shot. I'm the type of player who likes to confuse the defence.
Lately I've been able to get open somewhere in the centre and get pucks in from there. But it's not crucial for me, I can change in the attack. Given my grip, I rarely shoot from the right, so if I need to, I can be either on the left or in the centre.
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