Brayden Dube was one of five Parkland Bantam Rangers that were selected on WHL Bantam Draft day. He was also the first Ranger to be picked as he went 29th overall to the Seattle Thunderbirds, a team that is full of youth and skill. The Manitoba sniper is ready to be part of the organization.
“To see my name pop up to a great organization, it was so exciting,” said Dube. “It’s a great place, the organization is top-notch and the fans are fantastic.”
The next step for any draft pick is signing a contract; however, not all draft picks sign on the dotted line, especially just one week after being drafted. Dube; however, has done just that. The Roblin, Manitoba native has officially signed his first Western Hockey League Standard Player Agreement.
Dube is also the first Parklander to sign their agreement.
“It took me a couple of days to think about signing with them, I know there are other routes,” continued Dube. “My family and I decided the WHL was the best option. I’m really excited to have signed with Seattle, it’s a moment I won’t forget.”
There was a sense of confidence for Dube heading into draft day and understandably so. With his 130 points this past season, Dube is fifth all-time in bantam scoring across the province.
The list is topped by Jonathan Toews who plays with the Blackhawks and he’s a Stanley Cup Champion. In the 2002-2003 season, Toews had 193 points in 48 games and he averaged 4.02 points per game.
Dube’s 130 points came in just 36 games. Had he played the 48 games and kept up with his average of 3.61 points per game, he would have finished the season with 173 points. Dube’s the first Bantam Ranger to ever record more than 50 goals in a single season.
“To even think my stats are up there with Toews, that’s unbelievable,” he added. “He’s one of the best players in the NHL; it’s a pretty cool feeling for me.”
Next up for the young Manitoba sniper, when it comes to his hockey journey is a nearly 21-hour drive south of the border. Dube is set to take part in his first WHL Training Camp in August when the T-Birds open things up with rookie camp and main camp will follow.
“I’m really looking forward to that. It’s going to be a long trip with a lot of memories made along the way,” continued Dube. “I’m also excited to meet all the other players, the general manager, the coaches, and everyone else involved with the organization.”
Dube has made it known that he plans on playing with the U18 Rangers next season of the Manitoba AAA U18 Hockey League and he hopes to crack the T-Birds roster full time for the 2021-2022 season.
He also knows he has some big shoes to fill after a 130 point season and he’s ready for the challenge that is ahead, one in a league that graduates players who go on to become some of the best in the National Hockey League. The Manitoba sniper understands what is coming along his WHL trail.
“There’s definitely a lot of pressure on me, they have high expectations for me,” concluded Dube. “I want to go and show them they picked me for a good reason.”
