Owen Power Bio
Owen Power is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a defenceman for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on November 22, 2002, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Power stands at 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 221 pounds. He was selected first overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2021 NHL entry draft after an outstanding collegiate career with the University of Michigan Wolverines. Power made his NHL debut in April 2022 and quickly established himself as a foundational piece for the Sabres franchise, combining size, skill, and hockey intelligence from the blue line.
Early Life and Background
Owen Power grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, where he developed his passion for ice hockey at a young age. Coming from a family that valued athletics, Power was a multisport athlete during his high school years, participating not only in hockey but also in basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse. His athletic versatility was particularly evident in lacrosse, where he achieved remarkable success by becoming a three-time national champion in the sport. Power has credited his lacrosse background with helping him develop the ability to find open space in the attacking zone, a skill that has translated effectively to his defensive play in hockey.
Power has an older sister named Emily who played lacrosse at the University of Guelph, and a younger brother named Adam. His Catholic faith has also been an important part of his personal life. During his formative years in Mississauga, Power honed his skills while balancing his commitment to multiple sports, a dedication that would serve him well as he progressed toward elite-level hockey.
Path to Professional Hockey
When Power became eligible as a junior player, his talents attracted attention from major junior leagues across North America. He was selected by the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League in the second round of the 2018 OHL draft. Simultaneously, the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL) selected him in the first round of the 2018 USHL draft. Power chose to join the Chicago Steel, opting to preserve his NCAA eligibility as he had already verbally committed to playing for the University of Michigan.
His rookie season with the Steel during 2018-19 demonstrated his immediate impact at the junior level, as he earned a spot on the end-of-season All-Rookie Second Team while helping the team advance to the Clark Cup finals. Power continued to develop his game and in the 2019-20 season, he was named the USHL Defenceman of the Year. He led all league defencemen with 40 points during that season, and the Chicago Steel captured the regular season title in the pandemic-shortened campaign, establishing Power as one of the top defensive prospects in North America.
Owen Power Career
University of Michigan (2020-2022)
Power joined the University of Michigan Wolverines for the 2020-21 NCAA season, immediately showcasing the skills that made him a top prospect. Although the season ended prematurely due to COVID-19 protocols, Power had demonstrated enough promise to solidify his standing as one of the top players eligible for the 2021 NHL entry draft. He was selected to attend Hockey Canada’s selection camp, further highlighting his trajectory toward professional hockey.
The Buffalo Sabres selected Power with the first overall pick in the 2021 NHL entry draft. Notably, he became the first number one overall pick to play college hockey since Erik Johnson in 2006, as Power elected to return to Michigan for his sophomore season rather than turning professional immediately. During the 2021-22 campaign, he recorded three goals and 24 assists for 27 points in 29 games, leading the nation among defencemen in points per game before departing for international duty. His outstanding performance earned him recognition as a member of the All-Big Ten First Team, a finalist for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and an AHCA West Second Team All-American.
Buffalo Sabres Era (2022-Present)
Following his collegiate career, Power signed his first professional contract on April 8, 2022, when he agreed to a three-year, entry-level deal with the Buffalo Sabres. He made his NHL debut on April 12, 2022, in a 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Two days later, he recorded his first professional point, an assist on a goal by Alex Tuch, in a game against the St. Louis Blues. Power scored his first NHL goal on April 21, 2022, during a 5-2 win against the New Jersey Devils, marking the beginning of what would become a significant professional career.
Power’s first full NHL season came during the 2022-23 campaign, where he appeared in 79 games and recorded four goals and 31 assists. His performance among rookie defencemen stood out, as he led all first-year blue-liners in both assists and points. His consistent play throughout the season earned him recognition as a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s top rookie. On October 11, 2023, Power signed a seven-year, $58.45 million contract extension with the Sabres, securing his long-term future with the franchise and reflecting the organization’s confidence in his abilities.
Defensive Style and Strengths
Standing at 6 feet 6 inches, Power brings exceptional size to the defenceman position, allowing him to cover significant ice and win physical battles along the boards and in front of the net. His left-shot proficiency complements his positioning skills, and his mobility enables him to transition smoothly from defensive coverage to offensive contributions. Power’s hockey intelligence shows in his ability to read plays and make smart decisions with the puck, whether breaking out of the defensive zone or joining the attack. His experience playing multiple sports, particularly lacrosse, has contributed to his exceptional awareness in finding open ice and creating plays in tight spaces.
Notable International Achievements
Power has represented Canada at multiple international competitions, beginning with the 2021 IIHF World Championship where he recorded three assists in 10 games and helped the team capture the gold medal. At the 2022 World Junior Championship, he made history by becoming the first Canadian defenceman in tournament history to score a hat trick during a preliminary round game on December 26, 2021. When the NHL opted out of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Power was among the young players selected to represent Canada, though the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Sweden. Following the 2023-24 NHL season, he rejoined Canada’s roster for the 2024 World Championship.
Owen Power Career Wins and Achievements
Throughout his career spanning junior, collegiate, and professional levels, Power has accumulated notable achievements that highlight his impact on the ice. At the international level, his most significant accomplishment remains the gold medal he won with Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Championship.
Junior and College Highlights
During his time with the Chicago Steel in the USHL, Power established himself as one of the league’s top defencemen. His 2019-20 season was particularly impressive, as he earned USHL Defenceman of the Year honors while leading all league defencemen with 40 points. His collegiate career at Michigan saw him earn All-Big Ten First Team recognition and AHCA West Second Team All-American honors during his sophomore season. At the junior level, he was named to the USHL All-Rookie Second Team following his 2018-19 campaign.
Professional Milestones
In his NHL career, Power’s most notable achievement through his early professional seasons was earning a nomination for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie during the 2022-23 season. His performance that year, leading all rookie defencemen in both assists and points, demonstrated his ability to transition successfully from college hockey to the world’s top professional league.
Owen Power Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Owen Power comes from an athletic family that has supported his development throughout his hockey career. His older sister, Emily Power, played lacrosse at the University of Guelph, continuing a family tradition of excellence in athletics. His younger brother, Adam, is also part of the family’s sporting legacy. The Power family’s emphasis on athletic achievement is evident in Owen’s multisport background, which included national championship success in lacrosse alongside his hockey pursuits.
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Power maintains a devout Catholic faith that has been an important foundation throughout his life and career. His commitment to his faith and family values has been consistently noted throughout his time at Michigan and in his professional career with Buffalo. The balance between athletics and his spiritual life has helped shape his approach to both the game and his responsibilities as a professional athlete representing the Sabres organization and his home country.
2025 Season Outlook
As Owen Power enters the 2025 NHL season, he continues to be a central figure in the Buffalo Sabres’ long-term plans following his seven-year, $58.45 million contract extension signed in October 2023. Now in his fourth professional season with the organization, Power has established himself as a cornerstone defenceman whose presence anchors the blue line. The Sabres have invested significantly in their young core, with Power representing one of the key building blocks for their future competitiveness. His development trajectory suggests continued growth as he accumulates more experience at the NHL level. The partnership between Power and the Sabres’ coaching staff continues to refine his game, focusing on maximizing his combination of size, skill, and hockey sense that made him the first overall selection in 2021.