Chapter 13: Brayden Dube

He had 130 points in only 36 games with the Parkland U15 Rangers.
74 of them were goals. Only one player has recorded more points than him in a single season in the Winnipeg AAA U15 Hockey League. That was Jonathan Toews. He had 193 points in the 2002-23 season. Brayden Dube dominated shifts and took over games.

He was then drafted 29th overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL Prospects Draft. The Roblin native then joined the U18 Rangers the following season and was off to an incredible start. He had four goals and six points in seven games. Those were his only six games played with the U18 team.

Now half a decade removed from his time with the Rangers program, Dube is grateful for the opportunity. It helped him develop and gain confidence.

"It's a great program. I played for great coaches and had incredible teammates," said Dube. "It was a lot of fun. It helped me get to the next level, and that's what it's all about."

Dube joined the Dauphin Kings for the 2021-22 season. It was a season that he will never forget. Dube posted 24 goals and 46 points in 49 regular-season games. Then in the playoffs, Brayden had three more goals and nine points in 16 games. His third goal locked up a provincial title for the Kings.

In front of a sold-out crowd in Steinbach, Dube scored the game-winner, 11:33 into the third period. He was just 16 at the time. He had scored big goals in the past. None bigger than the winner in game seven of the Turnbull Cup finals. The goal sent the Kings to the Centennial Cup, where the team advanced to the national semifinal. At the national tournament, Dube posted four more goals in five games.

Three years after Brayden became a hero, he still thinks about the moment.

"It was a really fun year, I still talk to the guys," continued Dube. "I think about it often. It was a special moment."

Dube advanced to the WHL the following year, joining the team that drafted him, the Thunderbirds. His stay in Seattle was short. He was dealt to the Prince Albert Raiders after only 14 games. During his time in Seattle, Brayden flashed signs of brilliance with two goals and four points. He was also a plus-3.

Dube scored three times and had nine points in his first 43 games with Prince Albert. Then, his game took off. He had 29 points in the 2023-24 season before posting a career-high 31 goals and 67 points last year. He was one point shy of recording a point per game.

By this time, everyone in the WHL knew who Brayden Dube was. He has a laser shot and is now a complete 200-foot player. Brayden had four more points in nine playoff games last year. The team's run was ended by the Medicine Hat Tigers, who won the WHL Championship.

One final year. One more chance to win a championship. One more year to dominate at the junior level. That's what this season presents for Brayden. He's back with Prince Albert. He's now on pace for a new-career high. With 23 points in 21 games, Brayden is projected to score 29 times and post 74 points.

"Obviously, being an older guy, I have to be scoring, or making an impact somehow," added Dube. "I feel as if I've been doing that. The older guys have a bit more to give."

Happy with his production but not satisfied, Dube has been a leading charge to the team's success this season. Prince Albert is in second place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 16-1-4. Their .857 winning percentage is the best in the Western Hockey League. Last week, they were ranked as the second-best team in the country.