Owen Rider – the Invicta Dynamos very own homegrown netminder who has shown huge potential since transitioning into the senior team just 2 seasons ago has seized the opportunity presented to him to step up and fill the number one goalie spot for the 2022/23 campaign.
Rider is a product of the Invicta junior setup and progressed through the youth ranks swiftly, often playing up a level beyond his years. In 2018/19 he was icing for the Invicta Broncos under 18s whilst aged just 15 and his performances and fast development prompted then Player-Coach Anthony Leone to call him into the Dynamos fold for 2019/20. Expected to use the season for experience and continue his progression, Rider was thrust into the action perhaps more than anticipated featuring for 400 minutes in 12 outings. Despite his young age he stood up to the challenge conceding just 29 goals from 259 efforts for a save percentage of 88.80%.
Rider returned when the team took to the ice again, following the delay due to covid, and proved himself once again. He appeared in 18 games during the 2021/22 season, playing 795 minutes, facing 566 shots, conceding 67 and achieving a very respectable 88.16% save percentage. He was always warmly received onto the ice by our supporters each and every time he played, and his growing confidence and ability caught the eye of incoming Head Coach, Lennon.
Lennon’s reset this year is very much based on developing the young, homegrown players who show a willingness to progress. Surrounding these players with an opportunity to play with, and learn from, a core of more experienced players who can nurture their talent and help them evolve their game.
Rider is one important element of this plan. Having shown he can handle the bigger stage the promising goalie is stepping up to fill the number one goalie spot and is very keen to get started, speaking on his return he said “Unfortunately last year wasn’t the year we wanted, hopefully this year we can turn it around. Seeing what Karl is trying to do with the team is very exciting and I’m thankful to be a part of it. Can’t wait for the season to start”!
Karl Lennon is delighted to be able to give this opportunity to Rider and says the following “I remember very clearly a young Owen watching the Dynamos (and his dad). He is Invicta through and through and is a great product of the Invicta Junior system. He will have great responsibility this season, taking the role as our starting Netminder. I have complete faith in him, we saw great strides in his performances and confidence last season and the time is right for him now to move his career to the next level. I look forward to seeing his continued development”!
Own Rider will continue to wear the number 30 jersey for the Dynamos in 2022/23.