Hunter Dryden has a last name that hockey fans recognize instantly.
The 19-year-old goaltender is the grandson of Hockey Hall of Famer and six-time Stanley Cup champion Ken Dryden, while his mother, Tammy Lee Shewchuk, won Olympic gold with Canada’s women’s hockey team in 2002.
Now, the Connecticut product is taking the next step in his career after committing to the Victoria Grizzlies for the 2026-27 BCHL season.
“I’ve always kind of been battling with being my own person and creating my own journey,” Dryden told the Goldstream Gazette.
“My response has always been, ‘Yeah, but I’m Hunter, and I kind of do my own thing.’ Coming from that background, sometimes it can be harder, not easier.”
While Dryden has grown up surrounded by hockey success, he said his grandfather’s biggest influence has come away from the technical side of the position.
“The position has changed so much that he couldn’t necessarily give me technical tips, but in terms of the mental side and handling the stresses of being a goaltender, he was really good,” Dryden said.
His mother, he said, helped him understand the bigger picture of the sport.
“She provided me a lot of guidance in terms of the bigger picture. She has always been able to help me put things into perspective,” he added,
The six-foot-four, 185-pound netminder joins the Grizzlies after three seasons at Taft School (USHS-Prep) in his home state. He spent his first two seasons developing behind Princeton-bound goaltender Brady Morris before earning the starting role this past season. In 24 games, he posted a .911 save percentage.
“Learning from (Brady) was really good, and this year I was the starter and had a solid year,” Dryden said. “It was pretty exciting to earn that role, and I feel like it has prepared me to make the jump to the next level.”
Dryden uses his frame as a foundation, but said continued improvement in his movement and technique has been a major focus.
“I base everything off my size because I think that is a good base for your game, but over these last years, I have really worked on technique and skating,” Dryden said. “Size doesn’t really mean much if you can’t move and can’t stop pucks.”
Dryden got an early look at the BCHL when he travelled to the Island to skate with the Grizzlies during American Thanksgiving.
“I hadn’t skated with a team in the BCHL before, and seeing the level was pretty exciting,” he said. “Talking with coach Geoff Grimwood and the organization, they are really excited for this next season.”
Dryden’s long-term goal is earning an NCAA scholarship, something he believes the BCHL can help him achieve.
“The BCHL has a reputation as being a super skilled league with a good track record of developing players who are able to adapt well to the next level quickly,” he said.
Dryden will not be the first player with Montreal Canadiens ties to wear a Grizzlies sweater.
In 2024-25, Tom Molson, the son of Canadiens owner Geoff Molson, recorded 49 points in 54 games with Victoria. Dryden will also join returning goaltender Mikus Vecvanags, a Canadiens draft pick entering his final season of junior hockey.
Dryden will make the move west in early September, driving from Connecticut to Colwood before training camp. The cross-country drive will be a first for the teenager.
“I’ve never really driven past Toronto or Montreal before, so a two-day drive will definitely be new,” Dryden said.