Owen Power is one of the most important young defensemen in the Buffalo Sabres organization. The Canadian defenseman entered the NHL with enormous expectations after Buffalo selected him first overall in the 2021 NHL Draft
Since then he has quietly developed into a reliable two-way defenseman who can play major minutes and contribute at both ends of the ice.
Power may not always receive the same attention as some of the NHL’s biggest offensive stars. However, his importance to Buffalo is easy to understand when you look at his role.
He is a 6-foot-6 left-shot defenseman who can skate well, move the puck and make smart decisions under pressure.
His career also took an interesting step forward during the 2025-26 season. Power helped the Sabres reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011.
Together, Dahlin and Power give the Sabres a strong foundation on defense.
For hockey fans looking for a player who could become increasingly important over the next several seasons, Owen Power is certainly worth watching.
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Table of Contents
Who is Owen Power?
Owen Power is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League.1
He was born on November 22, 2002, in Mississauga, Ontario.
Power shoots left and is known for his size, skating ability, hockey sense and ability to move the puck from the defensive zone into attack. The Buffalo Sabres selected Power with the first overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
He became the first player from the University of Michigan to be selected first overall in the NHL Draft. He was also only the third player ever selected first overall directly from the NCAA at the time.
Power did not immediately rush into the NHL after being drafted. He returned to Michigan for his sophomore season and continued his development.
That decision proved valuable because he gained another season of high-level college hockey before making the jump to professional hockey.
He signed his entry-level contract with Buffalo in April 2022 and made his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He recorded his first NHL point two days later against the St. Louis Blues and scored his first NHL goal against the New Jersey Devils on April 21, 2022.
Power quickly showed that he was capable of handling the demands of the NHL.
detroit mid wings
— Owen Power (@OwenPower2202) December 1, 2022
Early Childhood and Family
Owen Power grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, a city in the Greater Toronto Area with a strong hockey culture.
Growing up close to Toronto gave Power an early connection to the sport and allowed him to develop in one of Canada’s most competitive hockey environments.
Power was born to Zee and Trish Power. His father, Zee, works as a financial planner while his mother, Trish, works in parks and recreation.
He has a sister named Emily and a brother named Adam. Emily played lacrosse at the University of Guelph.
Power attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School and graduated in 2020. Rather than following a traditional path directly into a major junior hockey league, he developed through the United States Hockey League with the Chicago Steel.
That move became an important part of his development. Power played two seasons with Chicago.
During the 2018-19 season he made the USHL All-Rookie Team after recording 28 points in 58 games. The following season he took a major step forward and became the USHL Defenseman of the Year.
In 2019-20, Power recorded 40 points in 45 games and led all USHL defensemen in scoring. He was also named to the USHL First All-Star Team.
Those performances helped establish Power as one of the top young defensemen in North American hockey.
Stats Table
| Category | Owen Power |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Owen Power |
| Date of Birth | November 22, 2002 |
| Birthplace | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada |
| Position | Defenseman |
| Shoots | Left |
| Height | 6-foot-6 |
| NHL Team | Buffalo Sabres |
| NHL Draft | 2021 |
| Draft Position | 1st overall |
| College | University of Michigan |
| Junior Team | Chicago Steel |
| NHL Debut | April 12, 2022 |
| First NHL Goal | April 21, 2022 |
| 2024-25 Games | 79 |
| 2024-25 Goals | 7 |
| 2024-25 Assists | 33 |
| 2024-25 Points | 40 |
| 2025-26 Games | 81 |
| 2025-26 Goals | 8 |
| 2025-26 Assists | 21 |
| 2025-26 Points | 29 |
| 2025-26 Average TOI | 21:39 |
| 2026 Playoff Games | 13 |
| 2026 Playoff Points | 6 assists |
| Contract | Through 2030-31 |
| Contract AAV | $8.35 million |
| Major NHL Honor | 2022-23 All-Rookie Team |
| Calder Trophy | 2022-23 Finalist |
| International Highlight | 2021 IIHF World Championship Gold |
College Career at Michigan
Power joined the University of Michigan and immediately became an important player for the Wolverines.2
During his freshman season in 2020-21, he played all 26 games and recorded three goals and 13 assists for 16 points. He also led Michigan with 40 blocked shots and finished with a plus-18 rating.
His performance earned him a place on the Big Ten All-Rookie Team and the Second All-Big Ten Team. He was also named College Hockey News Rookie of the Year.
Power returned to Michigan for his sophomore season and became an even more productive player. In 33 games during the 2021-22 season he recorded three goals and 29 assists for 32 points.
His two-year college career ended with 48 points in 59 games. His size was already impressive but his skating and decision-making were what made him particularly attractive to NHL scouts.
NHL Central Scouting ranked him No. 1 among North American skaters before the 2021 NHL Draft. The scouting report highlighted his combination of size, skating, hockey sense and ability to play a mature game.
Becoming the No. 1 Overall Pick
The Buffalo Sabres selected Owen Power first overall in the 2021 NHL Draft.
The selection was not a major surprise. Power had established himself as one of the best prospects in the draft and had already performed well against older competition.
At 6-foot-6, Power had the physical profile teams look for in a top defenseman. However, he was not simply a large stay-at-home defender.
His ability to skate and make plays with the puck made him a much more intriguing prospect. His selection also made history at Michigan.
Power became the first Michigan Wolverine to go No. 1 overall in the NHL Draft. He and fellow Michigan teammate Matty Beniers also became the first college teammates selected with the first two picks of an NHL Draft.
NHL Career with the Buffalo Sabres
Power signed with Buffalo in April 2022 after completing his sophomore season at Michigan. He made his NHL debut on April 12, 2022, against Toronto.
Power played 19:50 in his first game and finished with a plus-two rating. His first NHL game was particularly memorable because many friends and family members were in attendance in Toronto.
His rookie season in 2022-23 was where Power really established himself. He played 79 games and recorded four goals and 31 assists for 35 points.
He led rookie defensemen in scoring and played significant minutes for Buffalo. Power was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team and was also a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy.
He became the sixth rookie defenseman in Sabres history to record at least 35 points in a season. One of the most impressive parts of his rookie campaign was his workload.
Power averaged 20:44 of even-strength ice time per game. According to the Sabres, that was the highest average for any rookie since the NHL began tracking the statistic in 1997-98.
That showed how much trust Buffalo had in him at a very young age.
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Power’s Development as a Two-Way Defenseman
Power’s game has continued to develop since his rookie season.3
He is not generally the type of defenseman who dominates attention with highlight-reel hits or huge offensive numbers. Instead, his value often comes from his ability to make the next play correctly.
His skating allows him to close gaps and recover when an opponent creates space. His size makes it difficult for forwards to get around him.
He can also carry the puck out of the defensive zone instead of simply throwing it away. This combination is particularly useful in the modern NHL.
A defenseman needs to be able to defend while also helping his team transition into offense. Power’s game is built around that balance.
He has also continued to improve his offensive production. During the 2024-25 season he recorded a career-high 40 points with seven goals and 33 assists in 79 games.
He also recorded 34 even-strength points. That season showed that Power could become more than a defensive specialist.
2025-26 Season: A Major Step Forward
The 2025-26 season was particularly important for Power and the Sabres. Buffalo finally broke its long playoff drought and finished first in the Atlantic Division with 109 points.
The Sabres had not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2011. Power played 81 regular-season games and finished with eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points.
He averaged 21:39 of ice time per game. While his point total was lower than his career-best 40 points from the previous season, his overall role remained significant.
The Sabres relied heavily on their defensemen during their successful season. Rasmus Dahlin led the team’s defense with 74 points while Buffalo’s defensive group produced a combined 212 points during the regular season.
Power then gained his first significant NHL playoff experience. Buffalo defeated the Boston Bruins in six games in the first round before facing Montreal in the second round.
The Sabres eventually lost the series 4-3 after Montreal won Game 7 in overtime. Power appeared in all 13 playoff games and recorded six assists.
For a young defenseman, those 13 postseason games were an important learning experience.
What Makes Owen Power a Good Defenseman?
There are several reasons Power remains an intriguing player.
Size
At roughly 6-foot-6, Power has the physical size of a traditional top defenseman. His reach can help him disrupt passing lanes and defend against bigger forwards.
Skating
Power’s skating is one of the most important parts of his game. He can move laterally and use his feet to close space rather than relying only on physical contact.
Power himself explained after the 2025-26 season that he had focused on defending with his feet. He said that when his feet are moving and he feels confident in his skating he is better able to close plays and become more physical.
Hockey Sense
Power’s hockey intelligence was one of the reasons he became the first overall pick. He generally does not need to panic with the puck.
Instead, he can identify passing options and make the simple play when necessary.
Puck Movement
Power can move the puck quickly from defense to offense. That makes him useful during transitions and helps Buffalo start attacks from its own zone.
Durability and Workload
Power has already demonstrated that he can handle major minutes. During his rookie season he played a huge role despite being only 20 years old.
In 2025-26 he averaged more than 21 minutes per game and appeared in 81 of Buffalo’s 82 regular-season games.
Owen Power Contract
Power is under contract with the Buffalo Sabres through the 2030-31 season. According to his official Sabres player profile, his contract carries an average annual value of $8.35 million.
The long-term agreement shows how highly Buffalo values him. The Sabres did not draft Power first overall simply because of what he could do as a teenager.
The organization viewed him as someone capable of becoming a key part of its defense for many years. With Power and Dahlin both under long-term contracts, Buffalo has significant stability on the blue line.
Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin
One of the most interesting aspects of Power’s career is his relationship to Rasmus Dahlin. Dahlin was also selected first overall by Buffalo, going No. 1 in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Power followed three years later. That gives Buffalo two defensemen who entered the organization as first overall picks.
Dahlin is generally the more dynamic offensive player and has become Buffalo’s captain. Power provides a different skill set with his size, steady skating and two-way game.
The two players give Buffalo a strong foundation on defense. For Power, having Dahlin around during the early part of his career has also been valuable.
When Power entered the NHL, Dahlin already understood the pressure that comes with being a first overall pick in Buffalo.
International Career of Owen Power
Power has also represented Canada on the international stage. He won a gold medal with Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Championship.
In that tournament he recorded three assists in 10 games. He also represented Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Power led Canadian skaters in ice time at 21:38 per game and recorded one assist in five games. He later played for Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, recording six points in 10 games.
His international experience gave him opportunities to play against elite competition before he had accumulated many NHL games.
Why Owen Power Could Be an Under-the-Radar NHL Player to Watch
Power is an interesting search subject because his profile does not always match the attention he deserves.
He was the first overall pick in his draft class. He was a Calder Trophy finalist.
He made the NHL All-Rookie Team. He has already played more than 300 NHL games and reached the playoffs with Buffalo.
Yet he is not always mentioned alongside the league’s most recognizable young stars. That makes him an interesting player to follow.
The next stage of his career could be particularly important. Buffalo has already established itself as a playoff team after ending its 14-season postseason drought. The organization now needs its young core to take another step.
Power is part of that core. His offensive production can still grow.
His defensive confidence can continue improving. His size and skating give him the tools to become an even more complete defenseman.
The Sabres also have a long-term reason to trust him. His contract keeps him in Buffalo through 2030-31, giving the team plenty of time to see what he can become.
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FAQ’s
Who is Owen Power?
Owen Power is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo selected him first overall in the 2021 NHL Draft.
How old is Owen Power?
Owen Power was born on November 22, 2002. He is 23 years old as of October 2026.
Where is Owen Power from?
Power is from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, which is part of the Greater Toronto Area.
What position does Owen Power play?
Power plays defense. He is a left-shot defenseman.
How tall is Owen Power?
Owen Power is listed at 6-foot-6. His size is one of the major strengths of his game.
When was Owen Power drafted?
The Buffalo Sabres selected Power with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Conclusion
Owen Power has already accomplished a great deal in his young NHL career. He entered professional hockey as the first overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
His combination of size, skating and hockey intelligence gives him an excellent foundation.
If he continues to improve his defensive confidence and becomes more consistent offensively, he could develop into one of the NHL’s more complete young defensemen.
For Buffalo, the long-term picture is especially exciting. With Power and Rasmus Dahlin anchoring the blue line, the Sabres have two former No. 1 picks who can play major roles for years to come.
Power may not always be the first name mentioned when fans discuss the NHL’s young stars. That is exactly why he remains such a good under-the-radar player to watch.
His story is far from finished.
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