Sam Dickinson: Powering the Knights from the point

Since arriving in London three seasons ago, Sam Dickinson has become the backbone of the Knights’ success and one of the OHL’s most complete defencemen. Selected 11th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2024 NHL Draft, Dickinson’s rise has been one for the books – and his journey is just getting started. 

Acquired from the Niagara IceDogs after being selected fourth overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Dickinson stepped into London’s system with maturity and poise well beyond his years. “Ever since I got here, it was just pure excitement knowing what the London Knights were and the standards they had set,” Dickinson said. “I couldn’t have been happier to have ended up in a spot like this.”

And that “spot” turned out to be a perfect match.

Dickinson quickly evolved into the engine on London’s blue line. This year, he set a new franchise record for most points by a defenceman in a single season, and established a new all-time mark for points by a blueliner in the playoffs. He led the team in regular-season points with 91, including 29 goals, which was just one shy of the team lead. He also quarterbacked the powerplay unit with a team-best 12 goals.

Knights GM and owner Mark Hunter has had high praise for the 6-foot-3 defender since day one. “It was one of those trades that we’re very fortunate with,” Hunter said. “We ended up giving up multiple draft picks, but they were all worth it for Sam. He consistently plays well every night, drives the game, takes the puck out of our own end and defends. People are going to enjoy watching him play in the NHL.”

Hunter’s belief in Dickinson was echoed early and often. “He has a complete 200-foot game and is a top-end talent of size, skill, and grit. He’s the type of player you win with.” he said when the trade was first made ahead of the 2022/23 OHL season and three years later, Dickinson has more than lived up to that.

Dickinson’s list of accolades has grown just as quickly as his game. Named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team in 2022/23 and the Second All-Star Team in 2023/24, he capped off this season as the Max Kaminsky Trophy winner as OHL Defenceman of the Year. He also represented Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship and was recently named the San Jose Sharks’ Prospect of the Year by the team’s management for the 2024/25 season.

“He’s really brilliant the way he plays the game,” said TSN’s Director of Scouting and NHL analyst, Craig Button. “He can play many important and hard minutes and has unbelievable confidence in his game and abilities. There’s no question that Sam Dickinson is ready for the NHL, and that is where he will be in the 25/26 season.”

That praise is equally echoed behind the bench. “He’s a big part of the team,” said Knights head coach Dale Hunter. “He creates a lot, and he defends a lot. He blocks a lot of shots. He’s been doing it since he was 16, and credit to him, he just keeps getting better.”

Over his tenure in London, Dickinson has played a pivotal role in the Knights’ run to three consecutive Wayne Gretzky Trophies as Western Conference champions and back-to-back J. Ross Robertson Cups as OHL champions. His consistent play, leadership, and work ethic have come to define what it means to wear the Knights jersey.

“To succeed, you have to compete, push to win, and be coachable,” said Mark Hunter. “That’s one thing we push here and Sam checks all those boxes.”

From his debut as a 16-year-old rookie to his unsurprising rise as one of junior hockey’s most dynamic players, Dickinson’s OHL career has been nothing short of elite – and now, with just days to go, he’s hoping to cap it all off by adding “Memorial Cup champion” to his already impressive list of accomplishments.