McKay joins Reign on a one-year AHL deal
The Ontario Reign announced they have signed goaltender and former Hobey Baker Winner Dryden McKay to a one-year AHL contract for the 2024-25 season.
McKay won the 2022 Hobey Baker Award as top player in the NCAA with Minnesota State University Mankato after posting a 38-5 record with a 1.31 goals against average and .931 save percentage. He led his team to the National Championship where they lost to the Denver Pioneers.
The 26-year-old finished his NCAA career with a remarkable 113-20-4 record with a 1.46 GAA and .932 SV% in 140 appearances. He was a one-time CCHA Champion, two-time NCAA West First-Team All American, and one time Second-Team All American.
After his college career McKay began his professional career with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, recording a 27-20-5 record with a 3.18 GAA and .899 SV% with the Newfoundland Growlers in the ECHL. He had a stellar playoff showing in 2022-23 with a 8-2-1 record, 2.72 GAA and .901 SV% in 12 appearances.
McKay has only made two AHL appearances so far in his professional career, recording a 1-0-1 record with the Toronto Marlies.
The Downers Grove, Ill., native looks to bring his winning experience to a Reign team who were swept in the Pacific Division Finals by the Coachella Valley Firebirds last season.
With Darcy Kuemper, Pheonix Copley, and David Rittich all under contract for next season at the NHL level McKay will compete with one of those three and RFA Erik Portillo - who posted stellar numbers as Reign starter last season - for playing time.