BY MATT MACKINDER
Clarkston News Editor

Brendan Dicker has played hockey in five states and two countries looking to find his niche in the hockey world.
This season, the 20-year-old from Clarkston has found his junior hockey fit in Pueblo, Colo., skating for the United States Premier Hockey League’s Pueblo Bulls. He spent last season with the USPHL’s Charleston (S.C.) Colonials, and has also seen time with the North American Hockey League’s Corpus Christi (Tex.) IceRays and Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Steinbach Pistons.
“Things didn’t end up working out in Steinbach, and I felt I would have a better opportunity to play a full season coming back to play in the United States with how strict Canada has been with their COVID rules in regard to sports,” said Dicker, who graduated with honors in 2019 from Clarkston High School. “The Pueblo Bulls have been in touch with me ever since I started playing junior hockey. Once I was back in the States, I had a former teammate that reached out and sold me on what an outstanding organization it is. After talking with the coaches about their goals for the season and how they run the organization, I felt it would be a good fit and I could trust them with my last junior season.”
Dicker said being in Pueblo has its perks.
“Living away from home is always an adjustment, but I am really lucky that I got placed with an amazing billet family in Pueblo,” said Dicker. “They truly make it feel like my second home. I can definitely see myself keeping in contact with them and visiting after the season is done. I am also fortunate my family has been able to come from Clarkston to watch me play a couple weekends, too. I’m glad I got the opportunity to live in Pueblo and Charleston. I got to experience living on the East Coast by the ocean and now out west near the mountains.”
Going into the last few weeks of the regular season, Dicker has compiled 18 goals and 30 assists for 48 points in 42 games, good for second in team scoring.
“I’ve always thought of myself as a very defensive-minded forward,” said Dicker. “This season and last year, I have really tried to develop the offensive side of my game because who doesn’t like to score goals?”
Dicker said he first learned to skate when he was four years old and started to play organized hockey a year later.
“I absolutely love the sport,” said Dicker. “I grew up watching the Detroit Red Wings, shooting pucks in the basement, and playing pond hockey behind my house. I couldn’t get enough of the sport. I’ve been surrounded by close family friends that have had successful hockey careers and they have encouraged and supported me throughout my hockey journey.”
Back home where he has lived his whole life, Dicker attended Pine Knob Elementary, Sashabaw Middle School and Clarkston Junior High.
“I love that Clarkston is a small town that offers big-city amenities like golf, concerts, and skiing,” Dicker said. “I loved growing up in Clarkston. The Clarkston community, especially my teachers, has always been so supportive of me in my academics, sports, as well as other activities. I played baseball all the way up through my sophomore year in high school. I really enjoyed it, and there was just something special about the Clarkston school pride that I really loved.
“Even though hockey consumed a lot of my time growing up, I would always prioritize school. The only way my parents (Brian and Dawn Dicker) would allow me to continue playing hockey was if I put school first and got good grades. I am very thankful they did that.”
Dicker also has an older sister, Caitlin, who is 21 years old and is completing her student teaching at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester. She will graduate from Central Michigan University this spring.
Looking ahead, the possibilities are endless, on and off the ice, for Dicker, who turns 21 in May
“My short-term goal with hockey is to win a national championship here in Pueblo,” Dicker said. “I am hoping to play hockey at the collegiate level next year. I plan on pursuing a degree in Business. I don’t know what my hockey journey looks like beyond playing hockey in college, but I think it would be an amazing experience to play professional hockey in Europe after graduating college.
“I can’t wait to see what life adventures and opportunities come next.”

Photo provided by Jayson Ortiz