There is more than meets the eye when it comes to Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs veteran Dillon Currie.
In his third and final season with the Pontiacs, Currie has developed into possibly one of the most versatile players on the team, providing speed, strength and a keen hockey sense as both a forward and defenceman during his time here.
But alongside his development as an invaluable hockey player, the 20-year-old from Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, has shown an emerging artistic side.
In a world full of pressure and uncertainty, particularly in the competitive hockey scene, Currie has found an outlet through music that provides him the freedom to express his creativity, during times away from the game he loves so much.
The forward/defenceman/team leader/musician/student/etc. recently sat down with the Nouvelle to discuss his hockey-focused upbringing and his developing musical chops.
“I started skating really early on, but not through hockey like most kids … my parents put me in CanSkate. That's where I first learned to skate,” explained Currie.
CanSkate, Skate Canada's flagship learn-to-skate program, helped develop Currie's early skating skills, which eventually translated into the smooth stride Bonnyville Pontiacs fans have been treated to for the past two and a half seasons.
Currie said he learned a lot in his first few years of skating, but after seeing more and more friends join hockey, he could not resist joining the sport himself — and has not looked back since.
He began playing at eight years old because there wasn't much else to do in Maple Creek besides hang out with friends while playing hockey.
“It's a really small town, smaller than Bonnyville,” he said. “I spent a lot of time growing up just hanging out with friends. And then when hockey came along, that started to become my focus.”
For the most part, he joined hockey just to have fun, but as his skills developed, he began to push for more competitive hockey.
In bantam, hockey really came to the forefront, as Currie left home at the age of 15 to join a year-round hockey program in Kelowna, B. C.
“That was a big step for me, leaving home, leaving my friends, my family,” Currie explained. “But it was one of the best experiences of my life. I would not have changed a thing. I met some really great people there and I made huge steps in my game.”
Currie said his time in Kelowna helped him not only realize hockey was now his main focus, but the program also helped him become the all-around versatile hockey player he is today.
“The biggest thing I learned there was to make myself valuable to my hockey team in as many ways as I can be and whatever ways they need me to be,” he explained. “And just being there, immersed in hockey all year-round … it did wonders for me and my game.”
As hockey progressed and Currie started to receive calls from interested junior hockey teams, he began to consider his options.
“I had a few teams in Saskatchewan interested in me and I was not exactly sure which route I would take.”
But when Pontiacs head coach and general manager Chad Mercier began recruiting him, he knew almost immediately Bonnyville was the place to be and best place to advance his hockey career.
“Chad came to our house, he met with me and my family. We talked about everything. He definitely showed the most interest in me and showed the most desire to build a team that can win,” explained Currie.
He made his second big move away from home at age 18, coming to Bonnyville, which he said was “the best decision” he has ever made.
“It's been a great experience here,” he said. “We've grown into a very strong team and I think each player that comes through this organization is better for it. The passion Chad and Ryan (Pollock, associate coach) have for the game and their desire to make you a better player and person is something you don't get everywhere.”
Currie said he felt at home the moment he moved to Bonnyville.
“The people here are great. It's a very tight knit community and I think that shows in its support for our team and some of the great things that go on here.”
Currie said one of the most important things he has learned during his time playing for the Pontiacs is to work hard at everything you do.
“I tend to do that in most things I get involved in. But here it's part of being on the team. It's buying into the system that you believe can be successful.”
Currie has been a winger, a centreman and a defenceman for the Pontiacs this season. He has played shorthanded, on the man-advantage, at even strength and in overtime. He has basically played and contributed at all positions, in all scenarios, except as a goaltender, which he said he will gladly leave up to Dylan Wells and Curtis Honey.
Earlier this season, Currie played several games on defence, as the Pontiacs were experiencing some injuries. Currie was a steady force on the blue line, maintaining his composure and making few mistakes.
But when it came time to move back up front, it was like he never left, sniping two goals in his first game back at centre.
Mercier said he noticed something special in Currie from the beginning.
“We noticed his skating ability and work ethic at first,” explained Mercier about recruiting Currie out of midget hockey. “But the more we found out about him from those that knew him and just having him around, we could not say enough good things about him as a person.
“He combined skating ability, work ethic and good character, which is exactly what we needed at the time, when we were really trying to build a strong culture within the organization.”
Mercier added, “Over his time here, I think both him and us, as coaches, maybe expected a little more offence, but then you take a step back and look at all the things he has done for us. He has been so valuable to us in so many ways, and I think that just speaks to his character as a person.”
Being immersed in hockey and continually improving your game and gaining recognition as invaluable from an AJHL Coach of the Year are all great things, but Currie pointed out hockey is not the only thing in his life.
“I love music. It's been something I have been doing since growing up in Maple Creek and I think it's something I will continue to do for a very long time.”
When he gets away from the rink, Currie spends most of his time singing, playing music or writing music.
“I guess it's what I do instead of playing video games,” he joked.
Currie said he has always felt creative and found music to be the best outlet for his artistic endeavours.
He got a guitar as a teenager and taught himself to play. He also grew up singing at family and community functions.
As his interest in music grew, he started playing with a few friends from Maple Creek and last year Currie and his group of friends formed a band called the Shoeless Joes.
“We've done a few shows. It's been really fun. We play all sorts of music, lots of covers and some originals too. We get up there and just have a good time,” he said.
Like many musicians, Currie listens to all types of music, but he said one of his biggest influences over the years has been Elliot Smith.
You can check out some of Currie's solo musical endeavours on YouTube — search Curazy11.
Though Currie admits spending much of his time away from the rink on music, he said his main focus continues to be hockey.
“We have a team that was built to win this year and beyond,” he said. “We have a group of leaders here that lead by example and our younger guys have all bought in. When we play together, as one team, with everyone giving it their all, we can beat any team in this league.”
Currie hopes to be back in the lineup Friday against the Grand Prairie Storm.
