As anticipated, Cochrane's Dillon Dube will be making his second appearance in the IIHF World Junior Championship that starts on Boxing Day.

Dube has become the first player in the history of the Kelowna Rockets to be a repeat participant in the world championship and will build upon the experience of playing on last year's silver medal team. Six members of last year's team have returned to the roster, as has the coaching staff.

The Calgary Flames prospect had a prominent role as captain of Team WHL in the Canada-Russia CHL series leading up to last week's final tryout for the Junior Canadian team. He was named the WHL team's MVP in the second and final game of the matchup.

In last year's world championship, hosted by Montreal and Toronto, he had three assists. This year's tournament is being hosted by Buffalo from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 and Canada's first game is against Finland. Prior to the championship, Canada will play two pre-tournament games, the first coming against the Czech Republic on Dec. 20 in London, Ont., while the second sees Canada face Switzerland on Dec. 22 in Hamilton, Ont.

In March, Dube signed a three-year entry level contract with the Flames. In successive years with the WHL's Kelowna Rockets his offensive power has continued to increase. Between other commitments, he has appeared in 27 Rockets games so far this season and has 18 goals and 21 assists.