Who Are the Dryden GM Ice Dogs?
The Dryden GM Ice Dogs are one of the SIJHL’s charter teams and have established a tradition as being one of the top teams in the league.
Following their 2017/18 Bill Salonen Cup championship, the Dryden GM Ice Dogs represented the SIJHL as they hosted the 2017/18 Dudley-Hewitt Cup championship in Dryden. The Ice Dogs did not disappoint as they made it to the Dudley-Hewitt Cup final where they faced the Wellington Dukes.
The Dryden GM Ice Dogs take deep pride in being a community owned and operated team. The team's success depends on the countless hours put in by the many volunteers who fill numerous roles. The community of Dryden stands behind their team and that is shown by the impressive crowds we get at our home games. There is nothing better than the feeling you get playing in front of a packed Dog Pound and the roar of the horn when a goal is scored.
As has been our organization’s tradition, we have a strong team of volunteers in place who make Junior A hockey in the City of Dryden possible. We firmly believe that our volunteers are a vital part of our team’s long-standing history, and we know that we could not produce a successful on-ice product without their contributions. Volunteer recruitment is on-going, and we welcome any new faces to the organization.
Our players are regularly seen throughout the community helping in impactful and positive ways, the foremost being regular school visits and helping out with local minor hockey teams. As players on a community-based team, it is important to set a good example and be encouraging role models for our youth as it is the youth who aspire to be future Dryden GM Ice Dogs.
We are coming full circle for the 2024/25 season. For the first time in our team history, the bench staff for the first time in our team’s history will be composed of former players. Head Coach and General Manager, Jake Gushue was part of our 2016/17 Bill Salonen Cup championship team, representing the Dryden GM Ice Dogs at the 2017 Dudley Hewitt Cup. Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager, Ben Hackl, is a local player who was Alternate Captain of our 2022/23 team. Our Skills Coach, Kevin Raine, is also a local player who is arguably the best player to ever put on an Ice Dogs’ jersey, having experienced success in the OHL, AHL, ECHL and European pro leagues.
The Dryden GM Ice Dogs play at the Dryden Memorial Arena, and have games are live streamed via SIJHL.tv
