What a difference time, perseverance, and hard work can make.
At the start of the last hockey season, Dalton Dosch was battling to earn a roster spot in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. This season he is the Virden Oil Capitals’ No. 1 goalie.
Dosch has started the first four games of the season for a young Virden squad that was 1-2-0-1 entering the week.
“The thing I have enjoyed most so far about playing with the Caps is being able to be around a great group of guys day in and day out. Along with the memories we have all made,” the Willow Bunch, Sask. product said.
Last fall Dosch joined the squad from the AJHL’s Whitecourt Wolverines. He provided valuable depth backing up starting goalie Riley McVeigh as the team made it all the way to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League finals.
With McVeigh departing a year early for Stevenson University, Dosch has capably stepped in as the Oil Capitals top netminder. As of Monday, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound, 19-year-old had a 2.46 goals-against average and .901 save percentage.
“Dalton is a very athletic goaltender with exceptional lateral movement,” said Ryan Potter, a former junior hockey goalie who serves as the team’s video coach and goaltending coach consultant. “His competitive nature ensures that he gives himself a chance to make every save.”
It is not only his skills that have impressed. Oil Capitals head coach Troy Leslie praised Dosch’s personality, work ethic, and leadership skills.
“Dalton is a very hard working young man, he keeps himself in incredible shape and is always willing to put the extra work in,” Potter said.
Since coming to Virden, Dosch has worked hard to be a part of the community. Last season McVeigh and Dosch shared the team’s Sunrise Credit Union Most Community-Minded award.
“Most of my favourite volunteer activities are being able to go out into our community and others and meeting all the new people,” Dosch said. “I think what makes me want to be involved is making new connections, meeting new people, and receiving positive feedback from our community and the surrounding area.”
This Week
The Oil Capitals were in Swan River for a Tuesday game and hosted Waywayseecappo on Thursday. This Saturday they take on those same Wolverines on the road.
Last Week
Last Tuesday, the Oil Capitals impressed the 716 fans at Tundra Oil & Gas Place as they won their first game of the season, 4-2, over Swan Valley. The teams traded goals early on with the game being tied 1-1 after the first period and 2-2 halfway through the second session.
Hometown product Tristen Cross put the Oil Caps ahead for good less than two minutes after Swan Valley’s last goal. Kolten Kanaski added an insurance goal in the third period. Leslie said he was pleased with the team’s puck possession, especially in the third period.
Tristan Thompson scored the first goal of his MJHL career to kick things off for the Oil Capitals while Jack Einarson had Virden’s first second-period marker. Garrett Sambrook, Cross, Einarson, Thompson, and Kanaski all had two points.
Dosch made 22 saves to earn the win. Stampeders netminder Jackson Hjelle stopped 30 shots.
On the road on Saturday night, the Virden team fell 4-1 to Waywayseecappo. Special teams heavily factored into the outcome. The Wolverines had two short-handed goals and scored once on their four power-play opportunities. Virden was unable to light the lamp in seven power-play chances.
“When you give up two shorthanded goals and are not scoring on the power play, you are going to have a hard night,” Leslie said.
Kanaski had the Oil Capitals’ lone goal. Dosch made 16 saves on 20 shots, while Isaac Labelle had 29 for Waywayseecappo.
