Canes captain Kambeitz closes his junior career on familiar territory

By Dale Woodard on May 6, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDsports@lethbridgeherald.com

For Dino Kambeitz – and every graduating 20-year-old across the Western Hockey League – it probably wasn’t quite the end to his major junior career that he envisioned.

Playing in a COVID-19-ravaged 2021 WHL season, the product of Parker, Colorado’s final season consisted of 24 fanless games against exclusively Central Division opponents with no playoffs for anyone after the decision was made last month to cut the postseason.

Still, at least there were some games to be played as Kambeitz, who wore the captains ‘C’ this year, got in 21 as he closes the books on his junior career and now turns his attention to the pro ranks.

“Obviously we were super-fortunate to be able to play this year,” said Kambeitz, who scored six goals and 20 points this season. “I thought we had a really good group of guys and for being 20, you just want to have fun in your last year and compete and try to put yourself in a good spot for moving forward, whatever comes out of that.

“For this group, it was fun to come to the rink every day and see these guys as much as we did and all the time we spent in the apartment and in the rink. It was a fun couple of months here and I’m happy I got to finish off with this group.”

Kambeitz came to Lethbridge from the Victoria Royals prior to the 2019-20 season.

But for the American forward, it was just like coming home.

“I’ve come to Lethbridge and around this area since I was little, my dad growing up in Bow Island and all of our family being here,” said Kambeitz. “In a way, this was my hometown team and to have them follow me as close as they did last year with coming to every game and this year watching every game online and sending out texts after, it was awesome. I’m happy I got to represent our name proudly and the City of Lethbridge. It was awesome to spend two years here and be in front of them and get closer with them.”

When the 2021 season finally got underway after three delayed starts in October, December and January, the Canes wasted no time giving Kambeitz the captaincy.

“It was really special,” said Kambeitz, who finished his WHL career with 42 goals and 92 points in 211 games. “I always wanted to get to that at some point in my WHL career, just looking up to some of the guys who were my captains previously. That was a goal of mine to be recognized like that. I think to do it in Lethbridge, somewhere my family is really close to the city, it’s cool for them to have that in their bag as well.

“With Peter (Anholt, Hurricanes general manager) and Kis (Hurricanes head coach Brent Kisio), to have them as my management and coaching staff, for me to be able to play hard for those guys and try to lead the team was huge for me and something I’m really proud to have in my last year.”

Kisio said the Hurricanes will miss “everything” about their captain.

“He’s a beast. He’s our leader and he’s what you want in a captain. He’s that everyday guy who works hard and competes on and off the ice. I thought he took it to a whole new level this year with how he played. He was a man with boys at times and you could see that on the ice. We’ll miss him tremendously, but hopefully we’ve done our part to help him grow and hopefully he can get on to pro hockey and do what we think he can.”

Kambeitz moves on alongside fellow grads Mitch Prowse and Liam Kindree, both of whom were picked up in the off season from Victoria and the Kelowna Rockets, respectively.

“They came in this year and had a short time with us, but they were awesome,” said Kisio. “They showed our younger guys how to act on and off the ice and were a big part of our leadership group. It wasn’t about their on-ice play for us, we wanted guys to come in and really teach these young guys what it’s about to be in this year. I thought they did a great job doing that and as well they got better and better as it went and were really good players for us at the end.”

Kambeitz now looks to build off of that with aspirations of playing pro.

“I think right there are definitely a lot of things moving around and pro is definitely my first choice and whatever can work out on that side would be optimal,” he said. “I think for me it’s just staying positive and hoping something works out on the other end. I know Kis and Pete are working hard to see what can come of it and I’m going to be thankful for whatever I get to do next year and continue to play.”

As he departs what was a young Canes crew this season, Kambeitz likes what he’s leaving behind.

“They’ve got a lot of really good guys,” he said. “The older guys there now with Bar (Logan Barlage) and Hallsie (Justin Hall), I think they’ll be awesome for the forward group moving forward. They were awesome leaders, guys that treated me really well when I first got here. I have a ton of respect for those guys.

“Guys like (Chase) Wheatcroft) and (Ty) Nash and (Jett) Jones and (Joe) Arntsen, I think those are guys coming up who will be leaders for this team. They do the right thing on and off the ice and are guys I’ve become close with. I lived with Jonesy for my first season. I think we have a really good nucleus moving forward and I think a lot of guys who want to buy into what Kis and Pete want to do here in Lethbridge. I think it’ll be awesome to see what these guys can do down the road.”

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