CATCHING UP WITH TOP NHL PROSPECT DUMBA
It’s been a busy and exciting year for Matt Dumba.
The 17-year-old from Calgary, AB, enjoyed a stellar rookie season with the Red Deer Rebels in 2010-11, scoring 15 goals and 26 points with a +24 rating in 62 games to help the Rebels to their first Central Division title since the 2002-03 season, and was named the WHL Rookie of the Year for his efforts.
Then came an off-season that included playing for Canada’s national Under-18 team in August where he helped the squad capture a Gold medal at the Memorial for Ivan Hlinka tournament in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Following his Team Canada triumph, Dumba headed off to Toronto to take part in the NHL’s Research & Development camp. There, Dumba joined many of the top prospects in his age group to help try out new innovations, ideas and rules for the NHL.
Now, the 6’0”, 173-lb rearguard is preparing for his second season in the WHL on what could be a very talented Rebels team, and looking to step up his play in his NHL draft-eligible season.
One of the more exciting players to watch, Dumba’s blend of offense, speed and physical play will definitely draw plenty of attention as he looks to take on a bigger role with the Rebels this season.
On how he spent his summer…
“It was a pretty busy off-season, right from the time I got home. I was on the ice and started training for the Under-18 tournament. Then, going over to Europe and helping the team win Gold was amazing. Coming back, I went to the NHL (research and development) camp, which was fun and interesting. At the start of the summer, my family and I took a trip to see my grandma, and we drove through the States, so that was really good.”
On his Team Canada experience…
“As long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to put on that Team Canada jersey and represent Canada, so it was truly amazing. Going over there and winning the Gold medal in the championship game, the nerves I felt with everything leading up to it, was an experience I’ve never had before. It’s a completely different world (in Europe). The culture is very different and the food was interesting, to say the least. The time change was also a big factor.”
On this year’s edition of the Rebels…
“I think everyone here is looking for a good playoff run and, hopefully, a Memorial Cup run. I think it’s doable with the guys we have here, and I think we all believe we can do it. I’m very excited to get this season going because we have such a good team and we all have the same goal in mind.”
On his role with the team this year…
“I have to continue to help on the offensive side, but I also want to be looked upon to be a reliable player in the defensive zone. I’d like to help out on the penalty kill or situations where we need defensive game work. I think my style is pretty adaptable to that, and I want to prove that my defensive game is there and that I still can have offensive flair.”
On being in his NHL draft-eligible year…
“I guess you do think about it. But, to put it in perspective, I love the game, I love coming to the rink every day, and there’s nothing else I’d rather do than be at the rink. So, I don’t think it’s going to affect me too much. There’s some really good players in the WHL that are also in this position, and a lot of them I have known and played with or against for a long time. It’s good because I like the competition with them.”
Jesse Watts
whl.ca
