Dryden Allen of the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Niagara Falls Canucks (photo credit – Dan Hickling | Elite Prospects) has confirmed his commitment to join the NCAA Division I Michigan State Spartans in Lansing, Mich beginning with the 2026-27 season.
“I am proud to announce my commitment to further my education and play Division l hockey at Michigan State University,” Allen said. “I’d like to thank my family, friends, teammates, coaches and advisor for all the help along the way.”
The 16-year-old defenceman committed to the Canucks out of the Southern Tier Admirals AAA program this summer. He scored two goals and had 22 assists in 36 games for the Niagara Region organization’s U16 team last season.
The Niagara Falls, Ont. native also helped Ontario win gold at the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Charlottetown, PEI in February.
“Dryden is the youngest player on our team and, being a 2007 birth year, he is just starting to reach his potential,” said Canucks Owner and Head Coach Frank Pietrangelo. “Dryden had many D1 commitments, but in the end MSU was his choice. The rich history of the Spartans program, combined with the Big 10 allure and the proximity from his hometown of Niagara Falls all weighed in his decision.”
“Dryden looks forward to a great season in the OJHL as a member of the Canucks, and we know his future will be a bright one – both on and off the ice.”
Allen was a second-round (36th overall) pick of the Flint Firebirds in this year’s Ontario Hockey League U16 draft.
He is the son of Seattle Kraken scout Andrew Allen.
“My dad obviously put me in hockey and inspired me to be a hockey player,” Allen told the Ontario Minor Hockey Association earlier this year. “But I like to inspire my game after Adam Fox.”
Like the New York Rangers star, Allen describes himself as “a strong skating, mobile defenceman that plays with a lot of hockey IQ. I play a 200-foot game, I like to be physical as much as I can, and I’m a leader on and off the ice for my team.”
Congratulations to Dryden and best of luck in the OJHL and NCAA!
The OJHL had more than 75 commitments in 2022-23 including more than 36 NCAA Division I scholarships.
Check out all our 2022-23 commitments here: https://www.ojhl.ca/committments/
-with files from the OMHA
