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Calgary’s top pick was Dane Dobbie at No. 4 overall in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft. An Ontario native, Dane put up 52 points in the regular season and led Jr. A playoff scoring this past season with 31 points in seven games for the Burnaby Lakers of the BC Jr. A league.

NLLinsider.com spoke with Dane recently about his first pro training camp, and the adjustments he’s trying to make to now compete at the NLL level.

Scouts are saying good things about Dane Dobbie.

“He’s astute, sees the floor well, and can either set up goals or score them. He has the potential to be a top notch performer for years to come,” said Calgary GM Kurt Silcott. “I anticipate he’ll get the start in Denver on opening day.”

Dobbie won the Minto Cup in 2005 with Burnaby, and competed for the Jr. title in 2006 and 2007 with the Lakers. He’s currently on the left-side of Calgary’s offense with Victoria products Lewis Ratcliff and Kelly Hall.

I spoke with Dane, 21, earlier this week…

So you’re living in Vancouver. Is the plan to just fly in for games and practices?
As of right now, yep. I don’t know if I’ll move to Calgary quite yet.

Tell us about your first NLL camp?
It was an experience! It was fast, it was definitely bigger and quicker, stronger lacrosse. That’s for sure. Smarter lacrosse too…

You’re only 5’9, but have obviously had lacrosse success. What advice would you give to younger players who may be under-sized?
Just play with smarts and try to out-think bigger defenders. Work hard. You got to work harder than them… Do more of the little things, and work harder.

As for your role with the team, has it been defined yet?
No, it’s still up in the air. I’m not too sure. I just got to come to games willing to give it all no matter what, try to play my best, and do what I can do.

You’re playing behind some proven pros (Lewis Ratcliff, Tracy Kelusky, Kaleb Toth, Curt Malawsky). What have you already learned from those guys?
Oh yeah, they’re teaching me all the time. I’m learning new stuff every time I go out there… Just how to move the ball quicker. Guys are going through faster. You can put the ball into areas you’d never would in Junior… It’s a lot quicker, smarter lacrosse.

What’s the biggest adjustment you’re going to have to make if you want to contribute at the NLL level?
I have to keep doing the little things on offense. Work harder. Try to outplay everybody by just outworking and outsmarting them. Try to feed off players. I’ll also learn things as I go.

Burnaby is a powerhouse Jr. A team every year. Why?
They just have a good core. Definitely a good lacrosse environment. A good system. It’s just a good place to play, so they’re able to attract good players.

How’d you end up in Burnaby?
I was contacted and asked to try out. I made the team and went from there. Jamie Lincoln and I came out the same year (2005). I love it out here now… I’ve played with Burnaby the last three summers, and just moved out here to live this past summer.

What do you do outside of lacrosse?
I’m working as an electrician… just doing my apprenticeship right now. Hobbies-wise, other sports I guess, like hockey and golf.

What type of music do you listen to, and who’s your favorite band?
Rock… Yeah, I could go with AC/DC

What’s been your favorite lacrosse moment?
Winning the Minto Cup in Edmonton… We were kind of the underdog team going into it I guess. We came out on top after playing Six Nations. It was a good group of guys. Perfect guys for the perfect positions.

Do you have pre-game rituals?
Not really. Eat good food. Get sleep. That’s about it. I’m not superstitious.

What can fans expect to see from you this season?
I’ll go to the net hard, work hard. Play good pick and rolls, make good passes… Hard work.

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And to go so high in the draft, at only 5′9, you know Dane not only works hard, but also has some skill.

Calgary visits Colorado in the NLL season opener Saturday, Dec. 29 at 7pm MST. If you’re in the Colorado area, be sure to get your Mammoth Gift Packs. Otherwise, you can catch the game live on B2 Networks.

Stay tuned to NLLinsider.com for more in-depth analysis of the NLL’s season opener.

“Barring anything unforeseen, Dobbie will be in the line up,” added Silcott.

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