Dryden Deobald Finding His Footing in First Full WHL Season
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
17-year-old Dryden Deobald may not show up on the scoresheet every night, but his steady, detail-oriented play has earned him a regular spot in the lineup.
The 6-foot-4 defenceman has posted one goal and five points in 31 games this season, averaging 15:03 of ice time per game. He has racked up 15 shot blocks, which is one of the highest marks on the Blazers. But Deobald’s impact goes beyond the box score, bringing intangibles like shot blocking, poke checking, and crisp tape-to-tape passes, the kind of details that may go unnoticed, but are vital to winning hockey.
Deobald appeared in five games during the 2023-24 campaign, gaining a firsthand look at the pace and physicality of the Dub, something that has helped ease his transition into a regular role this season.“It helped a lot,” Deobald said. “Getting some experience last year allowed me to learn the pace of the league and the physicality. Just understanding how fast everything moves definitely made the transition into this season easier.”
Deobald not only secured a roster spot this season but also scored his first WHL goal, a milestone moment in his young career. “It was awesome, a dream come true for sure,” he said. “It’s something I’d been looking forward to for a long time. I was pretty shocked when it happened, but it felt really good.”
While Deobald might appear to be a stay-at-home defenceman, the rookie takes pride in his defensive responsibilities while continuing to expand his offensive flair. “I like to consider myself a two-way defenceman,” Deobald explained. “I can join the rush and be offensive, but I really take pride in defending. Using my stick, improving my physicality, and just being reliable in my own zone are big parts of my game.”
For Deobald, strong defence is less about big hits and more about patience and positioning. “You don’t always need to use your body to separate a player from the puck,” he said. “Using your stick properly can be just as effective, and that’s something I rely on a lot.”
As the Regina, Saskatchewan native continues to carve out a role in the WHL, he looks to one of the NHL’s best for inspiration in Dallas Stars defenceman Miro Heiskanen. “He’s a calm player and uses his stick extremely well,” Deobald said. “I try to take little pieces from different guys’ games, but that’s someone I really like to watch and learn from.”
With a steady approach and a clear focus on development, Deobald’s first WHL season is shaping into an important foundation both for his growth and the Blazers blueline.
