Cochrane's Dillon Dube will remain in a Calgary Flames jersey after inking a three-year, $6.9 million contract today with an average annual value of $2.3 million.

The restricted free agent was coming off a deal that he signed with the Flames in March 2017 that was worth about $2.8 million.  

Dube was pleased to get a quick turnaround on the contract a month before training camp opens.

"It's nice to have a little bit longer term, feel a part of it, and really dig in now and look to make those the best three years, help the team win, and be a big part of it," says Dube.

He's already been skating with some of his teammates and is anxious for when camp opens in September.

"It's nice to get some normalcy here and it feels like a regular year. To have a normal length training camp will give time for guys to get ready and spend some more time with each other because when the season gets going it's pretty hectic. It's going to be really good for the guys. I know some guys are coming early, too."

He says the start of a new year is always exciting and everyone gets a few butterflies when camp opens.

"Guys are getting pretty antsy, we're ready to go, and it's a really good group."

A leg injury in the playoffs kept him off Team Canada's roster for their gold medal performance at the IIHF World Championship. Though disappointing, Dube says it was the right choice. 

"I nursed it a lot more knowing I didn't have to play, and it helped me a lot."

Dube was picked 56th overall by the Flames in the 2016 entry draft. He's spent the last two seasons with the Calgary Flames and has 121 career NHL games with 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points.

He appeared in the 2015 Memorial Cup final with the Kelowna Rockets. Dube captained the Canadian junior team that won gold at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, NY. 

The Flames played their first preseason game at home against the Edmonton Oilers on Sept. 26.