Photo courtesy of Scott Roblin

By Scott Roblin

Plouffe Graduates

No shortage of memories for Plouffe after short stint with Tigers

Apr 2, 2020 | 6:30 PM

SHERWOOD PARK, AB – Five seasons and over 300 career games are lofty numbers for any WHL player, but that time has gone by in the blink of an eye for Dylan Plouffe.

After 307 games split between the Vancouver Giants and Medicine Hat Tigers, Plouffe’s junior career came to a close last week following the cancellation of the WHL season.

Plouffe was unable to answer questions regarding how his career came to a close due to a league-wide communications protocol surrounding COVID-19.

Back home in Sherwood Park, Plouffe reflected on the journey that led him to the Tigers and his rise to being a top-pairing defenceman in the WHL.

“It was probably the best five years of my life,” said Plouffe. “Just something that I’ll look back on and say it was the most fun [time] of my life and it was something that I’ll cherish for the rest of it.”

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Selected in the second round of the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft by the Giants, Plouffe admitted his first two years in the WHL were tough to get through with Vancouver missing playoffs both years.

Plouffe’s third year in the league saw the defenceman take a big step forward in his game with nine goals and 40 points from the back end, helping the Giants earn their first post-season berth in four years.

That just set the stage for a wild 2018-19 season for Plouffe and the Giants however, as they marched to the best record in the Western Conference and reached the WHL Finals against the Prince Albert Raiders.

A Dante Hannoun series-winning goal with 1:35 left in Game 7 overtime brought the Giants’ playoff run to a heartbreaking end, but memories that will last a lifetime for Plouffe.

“As each round went on it got more intense,” said Plouffe. “It was just the most fun I’ve ever had, it was a great time playing the game. You didn’t have a whole lot of worries in the world, it was just the next game and the next day.”

Plouffe was in the midst of his most productive season yet with the Giants on December 7, 2019 when he received a call that set the WHL alight.

The veteran of four and a half years was involved in a blockbuster trade that saw himself and forward Lukas Svejkovsky moved to Medicine Hat in exchange for Tyler Preziuso, Trevor Longo, and a series of picks in an eight-piece deal.

“I was in Vancouver for four and a half years, I built a lot of connections away from hockey as well and it was tough to leave,” said Plouffe. “But, coming into the dressing room in Medicine Hat was unbelievable. The guys there welcomed me in as if I was there the whole year.”

“It was a great team to be a part of and I believe we could have done something special.”

Plouffe immediately settled into Medicine Hat’s top defensive pairing with Daniel Baker, Cole Clayton, and Parker Gavlas rotating as his partners.

Sitting on 22 points in 28 games when acquired by the Tigers, Plouffe continued his offensive production with four goals and 22 points in black and orange to close out his career.

After playing in a defensively structured system for most of his career in Vancouver, the 20-year-old was given plenty of freedom with the puck under Willie Desjardins’ heavy attacking system.

“When I came over to Medicine Hat it was a big eye-opener for me and I enjoyed the game a lot,” said Plouffe. “It was a game you’re kind of used to playing when you’re a little younger, kind of run and gun just getting your opportunities wherever they come.”

Plouffe finished 15^th among WHL defenceman in scoring in his overage season, recording nine goals and 44 points between the Tigers and Giants.

Although his season was uprooted by one of the biggest trades in the league, he said having the trust of Desjardins and Michael Dyck in Vancouver did wonders for allowing him to have the most productive season of his junior career.

“The biggest thing for a hockey player, I know a lot of people can attest to this, is just confidence,” he said. “Having people that believe in you and put that trust in you helps you on the ice, and that’s really what I had all year.”

Plouffe hasn’t yet decided where his post-WHL career will take him, but he added is ready for whatever challenges will come his way.

“Just kind of waiting for everything to pass here and see what’s going on,” said Plouffe. “I kept my options open and just seeing what’s arising. Whatever comes knocking at the door, I’ll see what happens.”