Ty Emberson Bio
Ty Emberson is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on May 23, 2000, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Emberson skates right-handed and stands 6 feet 0 inches tall. He was selected 73rd overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and later opted to develop his game at the collegiate level before turning professional in 2021.
Over the course of his career, Emberson has spent time with the Arizona Coyotes organization, the New York Rangers, the San Jose Sharks, and the Edmonton Oilers. He has represented the United States at the junior international level and is widely regarded as a steady, defensive-minded blueliner known for his reliability in his own end.
Early Life and Background
Ty Emberson was born on May 23, 2000, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to parents Missy and Mike. He grew up alongside a brother, Andrew, and a sister, Mia, in a household that valued athletics and competition. His grandfather, Denny Zacho, was a two-sport athlete for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and was inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame, giving the family a strong sporting pedigree that helped shape Emberson’s path into ice hockey.
Emberson played youth hockey in Wisconsin, eventually representing his state as part of the Wisconsin state ice hockey team. He then attended Memorial High School in Eau Claire, where he played two seasons and produced 49 points in 46 games. Following his time at Memorial, he spent two years with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, skating for both the under-17 and under-18 national teams and gaining valuable exposure to high-level competition.
Path to Hockey
After completing his time with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, Emberson was selected by the Arizona Coyotes with the 73rd overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Despite being drafted, he chose to continue his development at the collegiate level rather than turn professional immediately, a decision that allowed him to refine his defensive game against older competition.
Emberson enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he played three seasons for the Wisconsin Badgers ice hockey program. As a freshman, he recorded 12 points in 37 games and was later named an alternate captain during the 2019–20 season, posting nine points. In his final collegiate campaign, the 2020–21 season, he served as team captain and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition, was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team, and was one of three finalists for the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. Across three seasons with the Badgers, he totaled nine goals and 25 assists.
Ty Emberson Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
In April 2021, Ty Emberson signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Arizona Coyotes and was assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners. He appeared in five games for the Roadrunners during his first professional season, scoring one goal while adjusting to the pace and physicality of professional hockey.
The following season, 2021–22, Emberson settled into a larger role with Tucson, appearing in 58 games and recording four goals and seven assists. His steady two-way play helped him develop into a dependable defensive presence at the AHL level and prepared him for an NHL opportunity.
AHL Breakthrough and NHL Debut (2022–2023)
On July 13, 2022, Emberson was traded from the Arizona Coyotes to the New York Rangers in exchange for Patrik Nemeth and two draft picks. He spent the 2022–23 season with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, where he enjoyed a breakthrough campaign. Across 69 games, he posted 27 points, finished second on the team in plus-minus among skaters, and ranked third among Wolf Pack defensemen in both points and assists.
His strong two-way play during the 2022–23 season was recognized with the AHL Eastern Conference Best Defensive Defenseman award, highlighting his growth as a top-tier defensive prospect. The performance cemented his standing as a reliable, defense-first blueliner capable of contributing at both ends of the ice.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2024–Present)
After a brief stint with the San Jose Sharks, Emberson was traded to the Edmonton Oilers on August 18, 2024, in exchange for Cody Ceci and a 2025 third-round pick. He quickly became part of Edmonton’s defensive group, recording 13 points in 76 games during his first season with the club. His steady, low-maintenance style of play fit well within the Oilers’ system.
On April 19, 2025, the Edmonton Oilers signed Emberson to a two-year, $2.6 million contract extension, signaling the organization’s confidence in his long-term role. The deal reflected his emergence as a trusted depth defenseman capable of logging meaningful minutes in all situations.
Driving Style and Strengths
Emberson is recognized primarily for his defensive reliability, sound positional play, and steady decision-making in his own end. He skates right-handed, which gives Edmonton additional flexibility when constructing defensive pairings, and he has shown a willingness to block shots and battle along the boards. His approach emphasizes simplicity and smart reads rather than flashy offensive contributions, which has earned him the trust of coaching staffs at every level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Ty Emberson’s career are his selection 73rd overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, his captaincy of the Wisconsin Badgers in 2020–21, and his AHL Eastern Conference Best Defensive Defenseman award in 2022–23. He also represented the United States at the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, an important early milestone in his development as a national-level player.
Ty Emberson Career Wins
Ty Emberson’s career has been defined more by steady defensive contributions than by championship victories, and his resume reflects steady progression through the U.S. development system, the NCAA, the AHL, and the NHL. While he has not won a Stanley Cup, he has earned individual recognition, including the AHL Eastern Conference Best Defensive Defenseman award in 2022–23 and All-Big Ten honorable mention honors during his final season at Wisconsin.
NHL and AHL Highlights
Emberson made his NHL presence felt after being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in August 2024, recording 13 points in 76 games during his first season in Edmonton and earning a two-year, $2.6 million contract extension on April 19, 2025. His AHL career has included strong seasons with the Tucson Roadrunners and the Hartford Wolf Pack, where he set career highs with 27 points in 69 games in 2022–23.
Other Wins and Performances
Earlier in his career, Emberson earned individual recognition at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he was named team captain for the 2020–21 season, earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors, was selected to the Big Ten All-Tournament team, and finished as one of three finalists for the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.
Ty Emberson Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Ty Emberson was raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, by his parents, Missy and Mike, alongside his brother, Andrew, and his sister, Mia. His grandfather, Denny Zacho, played two sports at the University of Minnesota and was inducted into the Minnesota Golden Gophers Hall of Fame, giving the family a strong athletic tradition that influenced Emberson’s pursuit of hockey.
Personal Life
Off the ice, Emberson has largely kept his personal life private, and limited public details are available regarding his relationships or residence. He continues to focus on his professional career with the Edmonton Oilers, where he is signed through the 2026–27 season following his April 2025 contract extension.
2025 Season Performance
Ty Emberson entered the 2025 season as a key member of the Edmonton Oilers’ defensive corps, fresh off a strong first year in Edmonton that included 13 points in 76 games. His two-year, $2.6 million contract extension, signed on April 19, 2025, reflected the organization’s belief in his long-term role and provided stability heading into the new campaign.
Throughout the 2025 season, Emberson continued to be deployed in a defensive capacity, leaning on his right-handed shot, responsible positioning, and ability to log penalty-kill minutes. His consistent play in his own end allowed the Oilers’ coaching staff to use him in a variety of matchup situations, while his willingness to join the rush provided occasional offensive contributions.
With Edmonton once again positioned as a contender in the Western Conference, Emberson’s steady, low-maintenance game remained an important piece of the team’s overall structure. His growth from a third-round draft pick into a trusted NHL defenseman highlighted the value of patience in his development path, and he remained focused on helping the Oilers push deep into the postseason.
