Colton Dach doesn’t have the profile of his brother Kirby. He wasn’t a very good draft pick and wasn’t playing in the NHL by the time he was 18. But one thing that his brother has achieved so far is also within reach: a place on Junior Team Canada.

The Montreal Canadiens forward’s brother is one of 18 forwards present at national team camp. The Chicago Blackhawks’ 2021 second-round pick, the 6’4″, 196-pound behemoth – a southpaw unlike his brother – will know if he deserves his spot after Monday’s game against U Sports All-Stars Has.

And when he does, there will be a little bit of Kirby in the performance.

“We talk to each other every day, Kirby and I. He went through this process and tried to guide me and give me advice. On the ice, he tells me to just work hard every shift, but he also makes a point of resting off the ice,” the Kelowna Rockets forward said in an interview with The newspaperSaturday.

For Colton, however, the situation is very different than what Kirby experienced in 2020. The latter was in his second season in the NHL and the Blackhawks then decided to loan him to ECJ, with whom he was named captain. However, his tournament came to an abrupt end when he broke his wrist during a pre-season game.

As a result, Colton has the opportunity to play more games than his brother at the World Juniors. But if so, then not in a prominent role like Kirby should take on in 2020. And that doesn’t bother him.

“I’m here with the mentality of a power forward who wants to prove he can play fast and with confidence. I’m ready to take on any role because I know if I want to play in the NHL one day, I have to do it.

‘Happier’ Kirby

As for his big brother, Colton feels a difference in his attitude since being traded to the Montreal Canadiens in the last draft.

“What strikes me the most is that he seems to be having more fun. He plays with a smile on his face and you can feel his energy and confidence. He’s played several games with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, two excellent players, and he finished them very well. I am proud of him.

“It doesn’t surprise me that he’s succeeding. I’ve been watching him for 19 years and I know what he’s capable of. He’s a special player who can do anything. He’s good offensively but also very effective defensively. At the moment he’s getting given responsibility offensively, but he is also very good in his area,” analyzes his younger brother, who makes sure that he sees all his matches.

Center or winger?

After several games on the right wing by Caufield and Suzuki, Dach is back in the spotlight with CH.

So the question remains: is Kirby Dach a midfielder or a right winger in the NHL in the long term? Colton smiles when asked what he thinks of it.

“It’s hard for me to say because I’ve always seen him play in the centre. On the other hand, I have to admit that he did well on the wing. I don’t think he cares to be honest. He wants to play in the NHL like all hockey players do, so it’s pretty cool that every day he has the chance to put his skates on the NHL ice.”

In 14 games this season at Kelowna, Colton Dach has 17 points.