Dustin Slade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dustin Slade |
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Born | Penticton, British Columbia, Canada |
February 28, 1986 ||
Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
Weight | 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb) | ||
Position | Goaltender | ||
Shot | Left | ||
NHL Draft | Undrafted | ||
Playing career | 2003–2007 |
Dustin Slade, born on February 28, 1986, is a former Canadian ice hockey goaltender. He played his last games with the Halifax Wolverines in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League (MJAHL). Before that, he was with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL). With the Giants, he helped his team win the President's Cup, which is a championship for the league. He was also named a top player in the WHL West First All-Star Team.
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Dustin Slade's Hockey Journey
Starting in Junior Hockey
Dustin Slade began his journey in major junior hockey during the 2002–03 season. He started with the Kamloops Blazers in the Western Hockey League (WHL). However, for most of that season, he also played in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) with the Quesnel Millionaires.
In his first full WHL season, 2003–04, Slade moved between teams. He was traded to the Brandon Wheat Kings and then to the Regina Pats.
Challenges and Success with the Giants
Slade returned to the BCHL in the 2004–05 season, playing for the Surrey Eagles. This happened after he faced some team rules issues with the Regina Pats. He also had a reputation for sometimes losing his cool during games. For example, in one game, he received 26 penalty minutes.
He was then traded to the Vancouver Giants for the 2005–06 season. This was a great move for him. He had an excellent record of 36 wins, 13 losses, and 5 ties in 56 games. His goals against average (GAA) was very low at 1.90, meaning he let in very few goals.
Because of his strong performance, he was chosen for the WHL West First All-Star Team. He was also nominated for the Del Wilson Trophy, which is given to the best WHL Goaltender. That year, the award went to Justin Pogge.
Slade played a key role in helping the Giants win their first-ever President's Cup. This win earned them a spot in the 2006 Memorial Cup tournament. The Giants were eventually eliminated in the semi-finals of that competition. During this successful season, Dustin Slade set a WHL record. He had a combined 17 shutouts in the regular season and playoffs, meaning he stopped every shot in those games.
Leaving the Giants and Later Career
In the 2005–06 season, Slade started sharing playing time with a younger goalie, Tyson Sexsmith. Sexsmith was also becoming a very good goalie for the Giants. Feeling frustrated about not playing as much, Slade decided to leave the team on November 20, 2006. He hoped to join a professional team in a minor league.
However, he couldn't find a professional team to play for. After a few months, he asked to return to the Giants, but they did not accept his request. The Giants tried to trade him to other WHL teams, but no trade happened.
As a result, Slade joined the Junior A league. In late January, he started playing for the Halifax Wolverines in the MJAHL. Slade mentioned that he had a contract offer from a professional team in Germany, but the Giants prevented him from taking it.
About a month into his time with Halifax, Slade was removed from a game against the Moncton Beavers. This happened after a play that involved a high stick on a Beavers player and a fight. After finishing the season with the Wolverines, Dustin Slade did not secure a job with a professional hockey team.
Awards and Achievements
- WHL West First All-Star Team (2005–06)
- Nominated for the Del Wilson Trophy (Top WHL Goaltender) (2006)
- Ed Chynoweth Cup as a member of the WHL champions Vancouver Giants (2005–06)