What an NCAA rule change might mean for junior hockey in Sask.
Nov 18, 2024
Previously, WHL players were declared ineligible to play NCAA hockey in the U.S.
The best goalie in the NHL was born in Regina.
Devan Dubnyk, of all people, is the top goaltender right now in the National Hockey League. He leads the league in three important categories – save percentage, goals-against average and shutouts. If he played on a team better than the Minnesota Wild he might also supplant Montreal’s Carey Price as the goalie with the most wins so far this season.
Although he was born in the Queen City in 1986, Dubnyk’s family didn’t live in Regina long enough for him to play his minor hockey in the province. Still, it’s on his birth certificate.
Dubnyk played junior hockey in Kamloops and was a first-round draft choice of the Edmonton Oilers in 2004. After struggling through parts of five seasons with the Oilers and their farm teams, he bounced through three other franchises before joining Minnesota and, with a new attitude and new coaches helping him, became an all-star.
Dubnyk has returned a few times to his hometown. He’s humble, funny and, at age 30, finally showing that he was worthy of being a first-round draft pick.