(left) DU alum Wade Dubielewicz is waiting for his opportunity to move up the Minnesota Wild's goaltending pecking orderFrom: Twin Cities.com
by Bruce Brothers
With Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding firmly holding down the top two goaltending positions for the Wild, Wade Dubielewicz must wait in the wings.
A free-agent signee this summer after ending up in Columbus last season following 21 games in the Russian KHL, Dubielewicz jumped at the opportunity to join the Wild even though he knew he'd come in no better than No. 3 or 4 at his position.
A former All-American at the University of Denver, he said he remembers playing against Gophers during his college hockey days and typically seeing big crowds for high school sectional tournaments at Mariucci Arena.
"It was amazing," he said. "I thought it'd be so cool to play somewhere where the support is that big."
Dubielewicz, who is from Invermere, British Columbia, added that hockey is "huge back home. And when you step into Minnesota, it's almost like stepping into a borough of Canada. It's almost like coming home for a Canadian guy."
At age 30, he needs to show the Wild staff he has "still got it," he said, noting that 30 "is when goalies are supposed to peak."
Dubielewicz, who had not played in an exhibition, accompanied the team to Columbus to back up Harding, but Richards said Harding was expected to play the entire game. The other goalie on the roster is Anton Khudobin.
A free-agent signee this summer after ending up in Columbus last season following 21 games in the Russian KHL, Dubielewicz jumped at the opportunity to join the Wild even though he knew he'd come in no better than No. 3 or 4 at his position.
A former All-American at the University of Denver, he said he remembers playing against Gophers during his college hockey days and typically seeing big crowds for high school sectional tournaments at Mariucci Arena.
"It was amazing," he said. "I thought it'd be so cool to play somewhere where the support is that big."
Dubielewicz, who is from Invermere, British Columbia, added that hockey is "huge back home. And when you step into Minnesota, it's almost like stepping into a borough of Canada. It's almost like coming home for a Canadian guy."
At age 30, he needs to show the Wild staff he has "still got it," he said, noting that 30 "is when goalies are supposed to peak."
Dubielewicz, who had not played in an exhibition, accompanied the team to Columbus to back up Harding, but Richards said Harding was expected to play the entire game. The other goalie on the roster is Anton Khudobin.
6 comments:
Unfortunately, Dubie was cut today. Wild took Backstrom and Josh Harding, but looks like Harding will be trade bait throughout the season as he has potential to be a starting goaltender.
McBain sent to AHL, John Moore remains playing with Columbus and has put up points in majority of pre-season games.
Bozak with an assist tonight for the Leafs against the Pens. Pens lead 2-1 after 2 periods. TSN is calling the Bozak line the "frosh line" with Stalberg, Bozak and Hanson. Game is on NHL Network.
Bozak missed a Shootout shot in OT but played a stellar game. Besides the assist he was all over the ice.
From the way the announcers were talking, Bozak is going to make the Opening Night Roster.
From Michael Russo's blog: "Dubielewicz and Milroy are on 24-hour waivers and can be claimed or cleared by 11 a.m. Wednesday." I am hoping he goes to Houston if he clears waivers, because I could see Josh Harding as trade bait and Dubie would be a good number 2 for the Wild.
Latest from Russo Rants: "Also, I think I mentioned earlier, but Wade Dubielewicz and Duncan Milroy cleared waivers and were assigned to AHL Houston."
So he will start the season in Houston.
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