In 2004, he signed as a free agent by the Carolina Hurricanes but never played for them. He played for the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League, where he had 9 points and 183 penalty minutes in 56 games. He remained with Lowell for the 2005–06 season and due to a shoulder injury, he played only 17 games where he had 4 points with 37 penalty minutes. Dwyer went to the Vancouver Canucks training camp in 2006 hoping to earn a roster space. He also attended the New York Islanders 2007 training camp where he was a late cut. Through 108 NHL contests he has never scored a goal, though he obtained 5 assists and 394 penalty minutes.