Veteran netminder Kyle Dumba’s arrival couldn’t have come at a better time for the Grizzlies as regular No. 1 Kurtis Chapman is out with an injury.
Photograph By ADRIAN LAM, TIMES COLONIS
Brian Drewry / Times Colonist
NOVEMBER 22, 2018 09:54 PM
Saying Kyle Dumba has been around the block may be an understatement.
But the 20-year-old netminder who has dressed for three Western Hockey League teams has never had a weekend quite like last weekend that saw him play for two different B.C. Hockey League teams in less than 48 hours.
Last Friday night he was in South Surrey where his Eagles fell 4-1 to the Langley Rivermen. But a few hours after waking up the next morning, he was on a bus with his new Victoria Grizzlies teammates heading to Penticton. And while the Calgary product, who has spent time in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen, Regina Pats and Everett Silvertips, was supposed to be eased into action behind Grizzlies standout Kurtis Chapman, Dumba found himself thrust into action early in the third period on Sunday in Vernon when Chapman went down with an injury, and went a perfect 4-for-4 in the shootout to help his new team pick up a much-needed victory.
“Yah, it was a crazy few days, that’s for sure,” said Dumba, who is the younger brother of Minnesota Wild defenceman Matt Dumba.
“I was just having breakfast with the boys in Surrey when I got the call. Then it was a mad scramble to get packed and meet the Grizzlies.
“And then coming into a 4-4 game late in Vernon was crazy, but the boys played well and we got the two points so it was all good.”
The Grizzlies are Dumba’s third BCHL team as he also spent time with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks last season, including getting in three playoff games.
But he steps into a soon-to-be crowded crease in Victoria. Chapman is expected to miss at least one week but 19-year-old Zack Rose, who has a scholarship to Bowling Green of the NCAA waiting, has been cleared for full practice following off-season shoulder surgery and will come off the injured reserve list on Jan. 3.
“I’ve dealt with situations like this before in the WHL and it’s actually good to have that depth in goal, especially if you want to finish strong and have a long playoff run,” Dumba said.
Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon said it’s not likely he will have the luxury of carrying three goalies starting in January, but for now, he’s glad Dumba is on board. Especially after seeing the veteran netminder help the Eagles steal two points at The Q Centre last month when Dumba stood on his head to get the Eagles a shootout victory on Oct. 21.
“He’s a quick, agile goalie and he stepped right in on Sunday when we needed him and played well and made some big stops late to get us the win,” said Didmon, whose club ventures to Port Alberni today to face the Bulldogs.
“And with Kurtis down right now, Kyle provides a veteran presence back there which will help because we have some tough games coming up.”
The BCHL has some key deadlines next month, in particular Dec. 1, when rosters must be down to 25 players and cards.
“I’ll see how things play out over the next few weeks and then we’ll obviously have some decisions to make.”
As for Dumba, he’s happy to be on a contending team — the Grizzlies lead the Island Division at 17-8-0-1 — after leaving an Eagles team that is last in the BCHL at 7-22-1.
“Obviously, this is a very good team with some high-end talent so I’m really excited to come in and help them out,” said Dumba, who is 4-7 with a 4.77 goals-against average.
And his more well known brother was pretty pumped about his move as well.
“We talked Sunday and he’s excited for me to come somewhere like Victoria which is a great organization and really good team.”
And still close enough to Vancouver to head over to the Canucks game when the Wild are in town.
“For sure. When he was here a few weeks ago he actually came out and saw me play in Surrey so that was pretty special and hopefully we can hook up again this season, but they keep him pretty busy there.”
LOOSE PUCKS: Following tonight’s game, the Grizzlies return home to face the Nanaimo Clippers on Saturday night at The Q Centre. Prior to the game, at 4 p.m., is the annual Guns and Hoses police vs. firefighters charity hockey game. A ticket to the Grizzlies game also gets you entrance into the Guns and Hoses game, which will see funds raised through 50/50 and concessions donated to Fill the Cup charity. The Grizzlies will also be raising funds by auctioning off their autographed third jerseys which they will be wearing during Saturday’s game.
