The Trail Smoke Eaters landed one of the biggest fish in the BC Major Midget Hockey League sea last week.
Trail committed 17-year-old forward Daine Dubois from the BCMML champion Prince George Cougars on Friday. The Williams Lake native tied for the league lead in scoring last season with 27 goals and 67 points, and should make an immediate impact on a Smokies offence that is already shaping up for next season.
“Daine brings an element of elite skill and scoring ability,” said Smoke Eater coach and GM Cam Keith in a release. “His experience in leading his Midget team to a championship and his upcoming Telus Cup experience will help him transition into an immediate impact in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).”
The five-foot-10, 170-pound forward also led the BCMML in playoff scoring with 14 points in eight games, including three assists in a deciding Game 3 Final 4-0 victory over the Vancouver Canadiens Mar. 26 to capture the BCMML title.
“It’s exciting to be playing in a new spot,” Dubois told Keith. “I’ve been to Trail a few times and really like the town. I’m looking forward to joining such a successful and historic organization.”
Dubois and the Cougars, however, first host the best midget teams in Canada as the puck dropped on the Telus Cup on Monday in Prince George and goes to Apr. 30.
The Cougars’ Monday night opening game against Alberta representative Leduc Chrysler Oil Kings decided the Pacific Region championship. Normally the top BC and Alberta teams play a best-of-three series to decide who advances to the Telus Cup, but both were assured spots in the tournament with Cougars as hosts and Leduc the Alberta Rep, so played a one-game winner takes the Pacific title match on Monday. The score was unavailable at press time.
Dubois also played on Team B.C. alongside Montrose native and current Smoke Eater Spencer McLean. The team won gold at the 2016 National Aboriginal Hockey championship in Mississauga, Ont. last May.
