Dow, who has captained the club for the last three years, will return for his sixth and seventh EIHL campaigns and so far, the 31-year-old has featured in 307 games for the club (261 League, 40 Challenge Cup & 6 Playoff) after joining from the University of Calgary, back in the summer of 2018.
In the last six seasons, Drydn has only broken service to the club once as the covid-hindered season of 2020-2021 allowed him to find more success with Slovakian side, Spisska Nova Ves as he became a Slovakian Playoff Champion.
The native of Calgary, Alberta was named to the EIHL Second All-Star Team this season, along with two of his teammates and it is the second time Dow has been selected (2019-2020).
He was also the highest scoring defenseman in the regular season over the past year, scoring 14 goals – 4 more than the next blueliner – and it is the second time he has led defenders in scoring (2019-2020 – 14 goals).
Overall this season, Drydn contributed a total of 38 points in the league campaign – the third most by a defensemen – and he also had three assists in the Challenge Cup, as well as a goal in the playoffs which has taken his total to 199 points for the club (49G, 150A).
LEFEBVRE ON DOW
Discussing his first signing of the summer, Stars Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach, Marc LeFebvre said: “It was an easy decision.
“Drydn is one of the top three or four defensemen in this league, he is such a good character in our room and he is basically a Dundonian now.
“He is the fabric of this club and to get a guy like him back, who is a leader of our team is key.
“I know Drydn a lot more now than I did last summer when I came in and we have had a good relationship over the last year as a coach and a captain.
“He is the voice in the room when I do not need to be in there the whole time with the guys and he feeds off everything we want, he gets guys in line and he has been a tremendous captain and player for us.”
After securing the first player from last season’s team, LeFebvre continued: “There is a group of guys that we want to bring back and a good core that we are talking to and negotiating with to make sure they are back in Dundee next season.
“If we can secure more of those guys then we will try to build on the success we had last season and try to win a championship this season.
“Drydn is the key to that, he is pretty much the first import I wanted to get done because he is the captain of our team and to get him for two more years, means we are going to be working closely over those two years to bring a championship to Dundee.”
DOW ON TWO MORE YEARS
Dow then shared his delight to be remaining on Tayside for another two seasons, adding: “I am really excited to be back.
“This is a place I have played for five years now and I am really excited to see the club continue to grow and see where it keeps going.
“I had a good year with Marc and really enjoyed my time with him, obviously he respects the way I play and lets me do what I need to do out on the ice, so he gives me a lot of free range and opportunity which obviously I enjoy.
“Also, his style of coaching just plays well for my game, so it was an easy choice to come back.”
Drydn continued: “It was exciting to make that playoff push this year but obviously we want to keep building on that.
“You can see this team has a lot of potential and you can see the growth as every year the club continues to grow in many ways, so hopefully we keep peaking and can bring a trophy back to Dundee.”
The Canadian also shared how happy he is to continue playing in front of the Stars faithful, commenting: “I feel like we have one of the best fanbases in all of the UK, so it is a pleasure to play in front of them.
“The crowds are continuing to grow and hopefully we see more sellouts like we had this year and the season ticket sales continue to increase because your support means the world to us and it gets us going every night.
“So, with your continued support, hopefully we can continue to build on this past season.”
Listen to the full interview with Drydn and Stars TV below!
With our #6 signed up for another two seasons, you can join Drydn and the rest of the squad by purchasing your season ticket, get yours HERE!
