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91ƵI91Ƶm really thankful I get this chance91Ƶ: Kelowna Rockets captain ready for World Juniors

Colton Dach is one of two Kelowna Rockets getting the chance to play in the tournament
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Kelowna Rockets captain Colton Dach is playing for Team Canada at the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championships. (Hockey Canada/Twitter)

It91Ƶs getting closer to the holiday season and what91Ƶs the most Canadian tradition? Watching the World Juniors of course!

Black Press Media91Ƶs Jordy Cunningham sat down with Kelowna Rockets captain Colton Dach about making the Canadian World Juniors team, how the experience has been leading up to the tournament, and more.

Cunningham (C): What was it like being told that you91Ƶre on the team?

Dach (D): It was obviously surreal, like a moment in my life I91Ƶve always wanted so it was definitely awesome to get that knock at the door and tell me I was going to be apart of the 2023 World Juniors.

C: What did you feel in that moment and what was the first thing you did?

D: First thing I did was shake their hands [the coaches] and called my parents right after, just all excitement. You know, it was just a proud moment for me.

C: What91Ƶs the experience been like for you so far leading up to the World Juniors?

D: Yeah right now were just practicing, trying to get in sync with some guys obviously. There91Ƶs guys that91Ƶve played with some guys on the team so you91Ƶre just trying to find that team chemistry and hopefully get ready for Boxing Day.

C: What91Ƶs it like getting to know the guys? Cause you know a few of the guys playing against them quite regularly but than there91Ƶs guys from other leagues around the country so what91Ƶs it like getting to know the guys?

D: Yeah, it91Ƶs awesome. I think anytime you can come to tournaments like this and meet new guys, make new friends, it91Ƶs awesome. I think it expands your horizon a little bit so its nice to meet new guys obviously and they91Ƶre a good group of guys.

C: Boxing Day, December 26th, first game of the tournament, you91Ƶre playing Czechia. Are you going to give your Kelowna Rockets teammate Gabriel Szturc a run in that game?

D: (laughs) I91Ƶm going to let him know were playing against him so he91Ƶs definitely going to know that I91Ƶm on the other side for sure.

C: How excited are you that he91Ƶs there as well at the tournament?

D: Yeah I know, it91Ƶs awesome that he gets to represent his country as well. You know it91Ƶs something we were joking about when the invitations came out, we were chirping back and forth but you know it91Ƶs going to be a fun game obviously for the few of us and can91Ƶt wait for it.

C: How many friends and family are you going to have in attendance all tournament long?

D: I think there91Ƶs a few friends and family, obviously my parents are coming down, a few aunts and uncles. Some of my buddies aren91Ƶt really going to make the trip out here but they said they91Ƶre going to be watching on tv.

C: What does it mean to you to dawn the red and white and maple leaf for your country?

D: Yeah it91Ƶs something I91Ƶve never had the opportunity to do before so I91Ƶm really thankful I get this chance to do that.

C: What are your expectations going into the tournament? Obviously Canada91Ƶs expectations are always high, the highest they can be but what are your expectations going into the tournament?

D: Yeah obviously our expectations are to win gold. I think that91Ƶs something we preach all the time is you know, being team first and win the championship so I think that91Ƶs something everyday when we wake up we91Ƶre practicing to do that.

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Dach and Team Canada open the 2023 World Juniors on Boxing Day, Dec. 26 at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time against Czechia.

Canada is in Group A with Czechia, Sweden, Germany, and Austria.

This year91Ƶs championship is taking place in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick.

READ MORE: Kelowna Rockets Dach to debut at World Juniors

READ MORE: Kelowna Rocket headed to Czechia camp



jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com

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Jordy Cunningham

About the Author: Jordy Cunningham

Hailing from Ladner, B.C., I have been passionate about sports, especially baseball, since I was young. In 2018, I graduated from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops with a Bachelor of Journalism degree
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