Sheldon Dries Bio
Sheldon Stephen Dries is an American professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 175 centimeters tall and weighing 84 kilograms, Dries has built his reputation as a hardworking, two-way forward with a scoring touch around the net. After beginning his professional career as an undrafted free agent, he has spent several seasons competing at both the AHL and NHL levels with multiple organizations.
Born and raised in Michigan, Dries developed his game through the United States junior system and the United States Hockey League before starring at Western Michigan University. He signed his first NHL contract with the Colorado Avalanche in 2018 and has since continued his career in the Detroit Red Wings organization.
Early Life and Background
Sheldon Stephen Dries was born on April 23, 1994, in Macomb Township, Michigan, to parents Todd and Erika Dries. Hockey ran deep in his family, as his father Todd and his uncle both played NCAA hockey at Western Michigan University. His cousin Danny Dries also pursued hockey at a high level, playing for Ohio State and later spending time in professional hockey with the Ontario Reign of the ECHL in 2014.
Growing up in a sports-minded household in Michigan, Dries was introduced to hockey at a young age. He graduated from Eisenhower High School in 2012 while continuing to develop his game through junior programs. His family’s ties to Western Michigan University gave him an early connection to the school where he would eventually play college hockey.
Path to Hockey
Dries began his junior career within the T1EHL, originally playing for the Detroit Honeybaked bantam program. While with Honeybaked, he and teammate Nolan Gluchowski were selected for the ATOM AAA All-Star team, marking one of his first notable recognitions. During his under-16 year in 2010, his junior rights were selected in the United States Hockey League by the Green Bay Gamblers with the 22nd overall pick, and he was also chosen in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection by the Plymouth Whalers with the 275th overall selection.
While playing with Belle Tire of the T1EHL in 2010–11, Dries verbally committed to play Division I hockey for Western Michigan University. Choosing to continue his American junior development, he joined the Gamblers of the USHL at the end of his under-18 T1EHL season, appearing in three scoreless games. In his first full USHL season with Green Bay, Dries contributed 19 goals and 19 assists while helping the Gamblers win the Clark Cup, signaling his readiness for the next level.
Sheldon Dries Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
Dries joined the Western Michigan University Broncos of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference as a freshman in 2013–14, appearing in 39 games and recording three goals and seven points while establishing a checking role among the forwards. Approaching his sophomore season in 2014–15, his leadership qualities were recognized when he was selected as team captain despite his smaller stature. He increased his production that year, finishing with 14 goals and 29 points in 37 games.
As a three-year captain during his senior season in 2016–17, Dries tallied a career-high 16 goals and 30 points in 36 games, helping lead the Broncos to the NCAA Tournament. At the end of the season he was named to the NCHC Second All-Star Team and was a finalist for Defensive Forward of the Year. After completing his college career, Dries signed a one-year AHL contract with the Texas Stars on May 10, 2017, as an undrafted free agent.
AHL Rookie Year and NHL Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Dries began his rookie professional season with the Texas Stars in 2017–18 after attending the Dallas Stars 2017 NHL training camp. He made a quick transition to the AHL, scoring 19 goals and 30 points in 70 regular season games while showing a scoring touch and tenacity in traffic. Dries led all AHL rookies in the Calder Cup playoffs with 10 goals in 22 post-season games, though the Stars fell to the Toronto Marlies in the finals.
On July 2, 2018, Dries signed his first NHL contract, agreeing to a one-year, entry-level deal with the Colorado Avalanche. He was a standout in training camp and made the Avalanche’s opening night roster for the 2018–19 season. Dries made his NHL debut on October 4, 2018, in a 4–1 home opening victory over the Minnesota Wild. He recorded his first NHL goal on November 1 in a 6–5 loss to the Calgary Flames, sharing the milestone with fellow rookie Vladislav Kamenev in the same game. Dries appeared in 40 games for the Avalanche, posting three goals and six points while splitting the year with AHL affiliate the Colorado Eagles.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2021–2024)
After three seasons within the Avalanche organization, Dries signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Vancouver Canucks on July 28, 2021, as a free agent. He split his time between the NHL club and the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL, serving as a steady contributor in a checking and energy role. During the 2023–24 season, Dries recorded 29 goals and 23 assists in 55 games for Abbotsford, establishing himself as a consistent offensive contributor at the AHL level.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2024–Present)
On July 1, 2024, Dries signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings, returning to his home state of Michigan. He was assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate, where he continues to play while under NHL contract. The two-year deal runs through the 2025–26 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although Dries is smaller by professional hockey standards, he has built his career on a hard-nosed, physical style and a willingness to play in traffic in front of the net. His strength as a forward lies in his checking ability, penalty killing, and knack for scoring dirty goals around the crease. He pairs a captain’s leadership qualities with a relentless work ethic, making him a valuable complementary piece on any roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Dries’s most memorable moments came on November 1, 2018, when he scored his first NHL goal alongside rookie Vladislav Kamenev, making the pair the first Avalanche rookies to score their first NHL goals in the same game since January 27, 1995. He also helped lead the Western Michigan Broncos to the NCAA Tournament during his senior season and won the Clark Cup with the Green Bay Gamblers earlier in his junior career.
Sheldon Dries Career Wins
Across his amateur and professional career, Sheldon Dries has collected several notable team and individual achievements. He helped the Green Bay Gamblers capture the Clark Cup in the USHL and later led the Western Michigan Broncos to the NCAA Tournament. In the AHL, he led all rookies in playoff scoring during the 2018 Calder Cup run with the Texas Stars.
AHL Highlights
Dries scored 19 goals and 30 points in 70 games during his rookie season with the Texas Stars in 2017–18. He later added 29 goals and 23 assists in 55 games for the Abbotsford Canucks in 2023–24, demonstrating continued scoring consistency at the AHL level.
NHL Highlights
In his NHL career, Dries scored three goals and six points across appearances with the Colorado Avalanche. His first NHL goal against the Calgary Flames on November 1, 2018, stands as a career highlight, paired with a memorable shared milestone with fellow rookie Vladislav Kamenev.
Sheldon Dries Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey has been a central part of Sheldon Dries’s family life. His father, Todd Dries, and his uncle both played NCAA hockey at Western Michigan University, the same program Sheldon would later captain. His mother is Erika Dries. His cousin Danny Dries played college hockey at Ohio State and last played professionally for the Ontario Reign of the ECHL in 2014.
Personal Life
Sheldon Dries proposed to his girlfriend Emilee in 2018, and the two have since been married. The couple has continued to be part of his life as he has moved between organizations in Colorado, Vancouver, and Michigan.
2025 Season Performance
Sheldon Dries enters the 2025 season continuing his role with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL under contract with the Detroit Red Wings. With his two-year deal running through 2025–26, he is positioned to provide veteran leadership and depth scoring for the Griffins while remaining a call-up option for Detroit throughout the NHL campaign.
Coming off a strong 2023–24 season with the Abbotsford Canucks in which he recorded 29 goals and 23 assists in 55 games, Dries is expected to bring that same offensive touch and physical edge to the Grand Rapids lineup. His experience playing in NHL environments with the Avalanche and Canucks organization gives him a steady presence on a developing Griffins roster.
As the season progresses, Dries will look to remain a consistent contributor in all situations for Grand Rapids while remaining prepared for any opportunity at the NHL level with the Red Wings. His combination of leadership, work ethic, and scoring ability around the net makes him a valuable piece within the Detroit organization as the team continues building toward long-term competitiveness.