Owen Dyer is a 2004-born defenseman for the Buccaneers. Dyer was selected as captain for the 2024-2025 season and has notched over 200 junior hockey games played. In October 2024, he committed to playing NCAA DI men's hockey for Brown University.
Dyer was born in Clarkston, Mich. (pop. 909), a suburb about 34 miles northwest of downtown Detroit. Although Michigan is known for its passion for hockey, no one in Dyer's immediate family played. The Dyers were a big baseball family, and Owen played baseball through his high school years.
Dyer discovered his spark for hockey when he attended his older cousins' high school hockey game. He played youth hockey for the Belle Tire AAA club through his 14U season. His 15U year was spent with both the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies AAA club and the Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School varsity team. Dyer played his final year of youth hockey with the Honeybaked 16U AAA club.
Dyer spent two seasons in the North American Hockey League with the Oklahoma Warriors (prev. Wichita Warriors) from 2021-2023. He assisted the Warriors in bringing home the Robertson Cup Championship with four points and a +3 rating in their nine-game playoff run. Dyer knows what it takes to be a winner, and he brings that energy and experience to the locker room every day.
Dyer was selected by the Buccaneers in the 2023 USHL Phase II Draft in the 3rd round, 43rd overall. In his two seasons with the Bucs, Dyer has enjoyed elevating his game to play against some of the best competitors from around the world. As an older member of the team, he took on a natural leadership role the moment he came to Des Moines.
"Following last season, there was only one person we had in mind to become our next captain, and that was Owen Dyer," Head Coach and General Manager Matt Curley said. "O.D. exemplifies what it means to be a Buc—compassionate, hardworking, and dedicated to his craft both on and off the ice. He serves as a role model for all those around him and could not be a better representative of our program."
Dyer's time in the USHL has unequivocally prepared him for the next steps in his hockey career. He's learned how to take care of his body when it comes to nutrition and recovery while living by a schedule built around hockey. Dyer's goal has always been to play college hockey, and he knew the USHL was the way to get there. In Des Moines, he's found a supportive community in his teammates and coaching staff, who make it easy for him to be himself while continuing to grow his skill on the ice. Dyer undoubtedly has a bright future ahead and has carved his own path to success as a pillar of the Bucs organization.
