Dylan Anhorn

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    Dylan Anhorn Bio

    Dylan Anhorn (born January 21, 1999) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing around 190 pounds, he is recognized for his playmaking ability, two-way reliability, and poise in his own zone. He previously played college ice hockey at Union College and St. Cloud State, where he earned All-NCHC First Team honors as a senior.

    After completing his collegiate career in 2024, Anhorn signed his first professional contract with the Manitoba Moose and joined the AHL organization for the remainder of the 2023–24 season on an amateur tryout. He has continued his development within the Moose system, working toward a permanent role on the blue line. His steady progression from junior hockey to college to professional ranks has made him one of the more dependable defencemen in his class.

    Early Life and Background

    Dylan Anhorn was born on January 21, 1999, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Growing up in Western Canada, he was introduced to hockey at a young age, eventually following the well-trodden development path that has produced many of the country’s professional players. His parents, Jodi and Kathie Anhorn, supported his early involvement in the sport, helping him pursue higher levels of competition.

    Calgary has long been a center for youth hockey talent, and Anhorn took advantage of the local development system before moving on to junior play in British Columbia. His time in structured amateur programs allowed him to refine his defensive fundamentals and begin to develop the offensive instincts that would later define his game.

    Path to Hockey

    Anhorn began his journey toward professional hockey with the Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). During the 2017–18 season he recorded five goals and 20 assists in 58 regular season games, while adding one goal and ten assists in 24 playoff contests. The following season, he posted five goals and 22 assists in 53 regular season games, helping the Spruce Kings capture their first-ever Fred Page Cup and Doyle Cup championships in 2019.

    His success at the junior level drew attention from college programs, and Anhorn committed to Union College for the 2019–20 season. He later transferred to St. Cloud State, where he would complete his collegiate career and earn recognition as one of the top defencemen in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC).

    Dylan Anhorn Career

    Early Career (2017–2019)

    Anhorn’s first notable level of organized competition came with the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL. Across two seasons, he established himself as a reliable two-way defenceman with strong offensive instincts. He contributed regularly on the power play and penalty kill, and his steady play helped the team reach new heights.

    During the 2018–19 season, Anhorn played a meaningful role in the Spruce Kings’ championship run, helping the organization claim the Fred Page Cup and Doyle Cup titles. Those accomplishments provided important momentum for his transition to the U.S. college ranks, where he would face a higher caliber of competition.

    Union College Tenure (2019–2022)

    Anhorn joined Union College for the 2019–20 season, where he quickly made an impact as a freshman. He was one of only two rookies to play in all 37 games, ranking third on the team in scoring with six goals and ten assists for 16 points. He also led the team in plus-minus and ranked fourth in blocked shots with 46. His strong play earned him a spot on the All-ECAC Rookie Team.

    Union cancelled the 2020–21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, slowing Anhorn’s development. He returned as an alternate captain in 2021–22, recording seven goals and 13 assists in 29 games. His 20 points ranked fourth on the team, third in goals, and third in assists, reaffirming his status as one of the top defencemen in the ECAC.

    St. Cloud State Era (2022–2024)

    Anhorn transferred to St. Cloud State for the 2022–23 season, joining the Huskies of the NCHC. During his senior year, he recorded five goals and 20 assists in 23 games before suffering a season-ending injury when he broke three bones in his foot and suffered ligament damage during a pregame warmup on January 21, 2023. Despite missing nearly half the season, he finished third on the team in assists with 20 and fifth in points with 25, leading all defencemen in scoring at the time of his injury.

    On April 19, 2023, Anhorn announced he would return for a fifth year at St. Cloud State. During the 2023–24 season he recorded six goals and 27 assists in 38 games. In conference play he posted 22 points in 24 NCHC games, ranking third among defencemen, with 18 assists that trailed only Zeev Buium among blueliners. He was named to the All-NCHC First Team, an AHCA West Second Team All-American, and was a Hobey Baker Award nominee.

    Anhorn finished his collegiate career with 24 goals and 70 assists in 127 games, a strong total that reflected his consistency and durability over five seasons.

    Manitoba Moose Era (2024–Present)

    On April 5, 2024, Anhorn signed a one-year contract with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL for the 2024–25 season. He joined the team for the remainder of the 2023–24 season on an amateur tryout, giving him a chance to begin his professional transition while still completing his college eligibility. The move into professional hockey marked the next step in his development as a two-way defenceman.

    Throughout his time in the AHL, Anhorn has continued to focus on refining his defensive game, improving his reads against professional forwards, and contributing offensively when opportunities arise. His signing represented both a personal milestone and a reward for his work in college.

    Driving Style and Strengths

    Anhorn is recognized for his strong hockey sense, effective passing, and ability to contribute at both ends of the ice. As a defenceman, he is comfortable quarterbacking the power play, evidenced by his strong assist totals, and he is reliable defensively in his own zone. His performance against top competition at the NCHC level, including his assist totals trailing only top NHL prospect Zeev Buium, highlighted his poise and offensive creativity.

    Notable Events and Milestones

    Among Anhorn’s signature achievements are the 2019 Fred Page Cup and Doyle Cup championships with the Prince George Spruce Kings, a 16-point freshman season at Union College, and an All-NCHC First Team selection in 2024. He was also named an AHCA West Second Team All-American and was a nominee for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award during his final college season.

    Dylan Anhorn Career Wins

    At the junior level, Dylan Anhorn helped the Prince George Spruce Kings win the 2019 Fred Page Cup and Doyle Cup, both firsts for the franchise. In college, he did not capture an ECAC or NCHC championship, but his individual recognition at St. Cloud State served as a major career milestone, with All-Conference and All-American honors in 2024.

    BCHL Highlights

    During the 2018–19 season, Anhorn posted five goals and 22 assists in 53 regular season games and three goals and seven assists in 17 playoff games for the Spruce Kings. He played a key role in helping the franchise secure its first-ever Fred Page Cup and Doyle Cup championships in 2019, an important achievement for both the team and his own early career.

    Other Wins & Performances

    Beyond his junior championship run, Anhorn earned a number of individual accolades across his time in the BCHL, ECAC, and NCHC. He was named to the All-ECAC Rookie Team in 2020, served as alternate captain at Union, and was recognized with All-NCHC First Team, AHCA West Second Team All-American, and a Hobey Baker Award nomination in 2024.

    Dylan Anhorn Family

    Family Background and Racing Lineage

    Dylan Anhorn was born to Jodi and Kathie Anhorn, who supported his hockey development from an early age. He grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and is Canadian by nationality. There is no widely documented professional sports lineage in his immediate family.

    Personal Life

    Anhorn keeps his personal life largely out of the public eye. He has been focused on his hockey career, first through the BCHL and college ranks, and now as a professional with the Manitoba Moose. Public details about a spouse or children have not been disclosed.

    2025 Season Performance

    Entering the 2025 portion of the 2024–25 AHL campaign, Anhorn is under contract with the Manitoba Moose and continues his transition to the professional level. He is expected to be a steady contributor on the blue line, drawing on his college experience and the offensive instincts he refined at St. Cloud State.

    The Moose, affiliated with the Winnipeg Jets, will be counting on Anhorn to help stabilize their defensive corps and provide depth in all situations. His experience as a power-play quarterback at the college level gives the coaching staff additional flexibility, and his two-way reliability could play a role in special teams success during the season.

    Throughout the year, Anhorn’s primary focus will be on adjusting to the pace and physicality of the professional game, building consistency, and continuing to develop his defensive game. A productive 2025 season could position him for an extended AHL role and potential opportunities at the NHL level in the future.