The stakes couldn't have been higher. The Dauphin Kings and Steinbach Pistons were locked in a fierce battle for the Turnbull Cup, with a ticket to the Centennial Cup in Estevan hanging in the balance. Six thrilling games had already been played, but everything came down to this: a do-or-die showdown in the championship series. For the victor, glory awaited, for the defeated, heartbreak.
Game six featured the perfect ending for Dauphin. Garrett Hrechka emerged as the hero, tipping in a clutch shot from Colby Jaquet. It was Hrechka’s third playoff goal and paired with an impeccable 24-save performance from Carson Cherepak, it sealed Dauphin’s gritty 2-0 victory. The Kings had forced a winner-take-all game seven in Steinbach—hockey's version of a gladiator match.
Steinbach drew first blood in game six, putting Dauphin behind the eight ball. But the Kings wouldn’t stay down for long. Early in the second period, Logan Calder beat Will Hambley to even the score, setting the stage for a finish that will be talked about for years. Hundreds of Dauphin fans packed the T.G. Smith Centre, and their faith was rewarded by a moment of magic from a 16-year-old star.
With just over eight minutes left on the clock, Brayden Dube—a rising talent from Roblin—spun and rifled the puck through Hambley’s pads to give Dauphin a 2-1 lead. The crowd erupted. The Kings were on the brink of glory.
The final moments were nerve-wracking. Steinbach’s Travis Hensrud broke free on a breakaway with less than a minute remaining, but Cherepak made an astonishing glove save to preserve the lead. The buzzer sounded, and the Dauphin Kings were crowned champions of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
The celebration on the ice was nothing short of epic. For Brayden Dube, it marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. As he continues to shine in the WHL, that unforgettable night remains etched in his memory.
"Yeah, I do think about it quite often. It was quite a run that we went on," said Dube. "It was the best time of my life. Such a cool experience and what an incredible feeling it was to win that championship."
Lifting Dauphin to the Centennial Cup, Brayden put on a show at the national tournament scoring four times in five games. Dauphin advanced to the national semifinal where they came up short in a hard-fought battle against Pickering.
Brayden’s lone season with the Dauphin Kings was nothing short of spectacular, a storybook chapter in his hockey career. His next move took him to the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Seattle Thunderbirds, where he hit the ice with determination, suiting up for 14 games and tallying four points. But the winds of change came swiftly—Seattle, in a bid to load up for a championship run, dealt Dube to the Prince Albert Raiders.
While the Thunderbirds went on to conquer the Winnipeg ICE in the WHL Final, Dube found himself in a new environment, embracing fresh opportunities with the Raiders. Prince Albert, however, fell short of playoff contention, cutting Brayden’s season short after he posted a respectable nine points across 43 games. Despite the challenges, the experience proved to be another stepping stone in his journey to greatness.
"I thought it was a very good move for me," said Dube. "I had the chance to get in the lineup on a consistent basis and improve my game. I love Prince Albert, it's a great place. Smaller community, almost get that Dauphin feel."
The star from Roblin increased his point total last season, scoring 17 times and ending the regular season with 29 points. He also played five playoff games as the Raiders qualified for the postseason. Brayden is back in Prince Albert this year and is enjoying a career year, with plenty of games left to improve on what has been a very impressive season for the 19-year-old.
Dube is almost averaging a point per game with 19 goals and 40 points in 41 games. He's also a plus-16. Brayden is sixth in team scoring and his 115 shots on goal are ranked fourth on the team.
Dube has continued to build and gain confidence and his incredible work ethic and attention to detail are reaping major benefits and turning him into one of the top scorers in the league.
"The big thing for me was confidence, it's gone up quite a bit from year to year," continued Dube. "I'm maturing as a player and finding a way to help this team win games. I'm pleased with how everything has gone so far."
"Yeah, definitely a very slow start for our group, wasn't expecting that," continued Dube. "We just stuck with the process and put our work boots on. We started stringing wins together and everyone started rolling. We're a confident group right now and believe we can beat anyone."
The pride of Roblin made his return to Manitoba on November 9, delivering a jaw-dropping performance that lit up the ice. Dube netted two goals and added an assist, propelling the Raiders to a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings. He followed up with another strong showing in Brandon on December 7, scoring in a tough 7-3 loss.
Mark your calendars—February 18 is your last chance this regular season to catch Dube in action in the Wheat City. On that night, dozens of friends and family from Roblin, the Jewel of the Parkland, will make the 235-kilometre journey to cheer on their hometown star. Expect an electric atmosphere as Brayden once again takes centre stage in front of a familiar crowd.
"It's special to play in front of my family and friends, it's always a game I look forward to," continued Dube. "There's more pressure on me, I have to play good, that's for sure."
Brayden Dube, a Manitoba Junior Hockey League champion who is thriving in Prince Albert and the remainder of the season is expected to be a big one personally and for the group.