Capitals Prospect Dubé Says He Lost 12 Pounds, Faces Extensive Dental Work But Back For Hershey After Taking Shot To Face

Washington Capitals prospect Pierrick Dubé proved just how tough hockey players are on Wednesday, as he made his triumphant return to the Hershey Bears lineup and scored a huge goal to help his team return to the Calder Cup Final, despite barely being able to speak.

Dubé was hit in the face with one of Ethen Frank's shots in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Cleveland Monsters, knocking out a good amount of teeth and leaving him badly injured. The 23-year-old was in significant pain and told reporters he underwent facial surgery the next morning and that he has significant dental work to get done after the season ends.

Related: Hershey Returning To Calder Cup Final, Capitals Prospects Step Up To Help Bears Avoid Reverse Sweep & Secure Game 7 OT Win vs. Monsters

"I lost probably 12 pounds in a week," Dubé said, via Monumental Sports Network's Tarik El-Bashir , adding, "I went for surgery for like an hour and a half the next morning. The next couples day was pretty hard. Right now, still on painkillers... it's a long process."

Dubé missed the next three games, but refused to sit and watch for Game 7 and insisted to coaches he was good to go. In his return to the lineup, he wore a full face shield to protect his mouth and scored a power-play goal en route to a 3-2 overtime win in Game 7 to send the Bears to their second conseuctive Calder Cup Final, which will be a rematch of last year's championship showdown as they prepare for the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

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The Quebec native has three goals so far in the Calder Cup Playoffs and impressed with 28 goals and 20 assists in 66 regular season games for Hershey. He also made his NHL debut this past season and is looking to continue to prove that he can play at the highest level.

His resilience is just proof that he's taking big strides in the right direction.