Tye Kartye Bio
Tye Kartye is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a left winger in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Kingston, Ontario, Kartye went undrafted before working his way into the NHL through the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the American Hockey League (AHL). He began his professional career in 2022 and is widely recognized for his work ethic, physical play, and scoring touch at multiple levels.
Kartye first gained league-wide attention during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, when he scored on his NHL debut with the Seattle Kraken. He has since continued to develop as a reliable depth forward, known for his forechecking and his willingness to play in all situations.
Early Life and Background
Tye Kartye was born on April 30, 2001, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in a family with strong ties to both education and healthcare. His mother, Richelle, worked as a clinical nurse educator, while his father, Todd, was a secondary school chemistry teacher. Kartye also has a sister, Talya, who went on to become a Registered Nurse.
Kartye developed his hockey roots in his hometown, playing minor ice hockey for the Greater Kingston Jr. Frontenacs of the Eastern AAA Hockey League. In his final season with the Frontenacs, he recorded 28 goals and 51 points in 36 games, establishing himself as a promising young scorer. He also suited up for La Salle Secondary School, where he helped the program win its first Kingston Area Secondary Schools Athletic Association championship in 2017.
Path to Hockey
Kartye’s progression through the OHL began in 2017, when the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds selected him in the eighth round, 158th overall, of the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. After failing to make the team in 2017–18, he returned physically stronger and signed with the Greyhounds on September 5, 2018, joining the roster for the 2018–19 season. He scored his first junior goal on November 21, 2018, in a 7–4 victory over the Sudbury Wolves.
By his second OHL season, Kartye had grown into a top-line contributor, skating alongside players such as Jaromír Pytlík and Zack Trott. He recorded 35 points in as many games by Christmas break of 2019–20 and finished the pandemic-shortened year third on the Greyhounds with 25 goals and 53 points in 64 games. Returning as an overage player for 2021–22, he scored his first OHL hat-trick on October 14, 2021, and added a second on April 4, 2022.
Tye Kartye Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Kartye spent three seasons in the OHL with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, gradually emerging from a late-round pick into a team leader. Across his final junior season, he recorded 45 goals and 79 points in 63 regular-season games, while also posting seven goals and nine points in 10 playoff contests. His strong play earned him a place on the 2021–22 OHL Third All-Star Team and a finalist nod for the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy as the league’s top overage player.
When his junior career concluded, Kartye had totaled 74 goals and 156 points in 191 OHL games, a clear sign of his offensive consistency and durability. His development in Sault Ste. Marie laid the foundation for his transition to professional hockey.
AHL and NHL Breakthrough (2022–2023)
On March 1, 2022, the Seattle Kraken signed Kartye to a three-year, entry-level contract. He spent the bulk of 2022–23 with the Kraken’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where he posted 28 goals and 29 assists in 72 games. He led all AHL rookies in scoring with 57 points and was one of only eight rookies league-wide to appear in all 72 regular-season games, earning the Dudley ‘Red’ Garrett Memorial Award and a place on the AHL Rookie All-Star Team.
Kartye was recalled by the Seattle Kraken on April 16, 2023, and made his NHL debut on April 26, 2023, in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round against the Colorado Avalanche. Replacing an injured Jared McCann, he played on the Kraken’s top line with Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle and scored his first career NHL goal against goaltender Alexandar Georgiev. He became just the eighth player in NHL history to score a playoff goal in his NHL debut, and the first to do so since Cale Makar in 2019.
Seattle Kraken Era (2023–2026)
Following his playoff introduction, Kartye settled into a depth role with the Seattle Kraken over the next several seasons. He became known for his physical presence and his reliability in a bottom-six capacity. Across three seasons with the Kraken, he recorded 20 goals and 21 assists in 180 career regular-season games, including three goals and five assists in 40 games during the 2025–26 season. He also ranked third on the team with 98 hits that year, underscoring his commitment to a physical style of play.
After the 2024–25 season, the Kraken signed Kartye to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.25 million, reflecting his value as a versatile depth forward. His combination of speed, forechecking, and penalty-killing ability made him a trusted option for the coaching staff in key defensive situations.
New York Rangers (2026–Present)
On February 26, 2026, the Seattle Kraken placed Kartye on waivers, and the New York Rangers claimed him the following day. With the Rangers in the middle of a roster retool, Kartye joined a group of bottom-six forwards tasked with providing defensive responsibility and physicality. His move to a new organization gave him an opportunity to contribute in a structured, defense-first role while continuing to develop his offensive game.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kartye is recognized for his work rate, forechecking intensity, and physicality along the boards. Listed at 6 ft 1 in and around 198 lb, he uses his frame effectively to win battles and create turnovers, while also possessing the skating ability to pressure opposing defensemen. He is comfortable playing both wings and has shown versatility in penalty-killing and energy-line roles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kartye’s most memorable moment came on April 26, 2023, when he scored on his NHL debut during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The goal made him the eighth player in NHL history to find the net in his first league game and the first to do so in the playoffs since Cale Makar in 2019. He also captured the Dudley ‘Red’ Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s top rookie, cementing his reputation as one of the league’s most promising young forwards at the time.
Tye Kartye Career Wins
While Kartye’s career has not been defined by traditional championship trophies, he has earned several individual awards and milestones. His most notable honors include the Dudley ‘Red’ Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s top rookie in 2023 and a selection to the 2021–22 OHL Third All-Star Team. He was also a finalist for the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy as the OHL’s top overage player during his final junior season.
OHL Highlights
Across three OHL seasons with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Kartye amassed 74 goals and 156 points in 191 regular-season games. He scored his first OHL hat-trick on October 14, 2021, against the Barrie Colts, and added a second hat-trick on April 4, 2022, in an 8–2 rout of the Sarnia Sting. He also recorded his 100th OHL point in November 2021, reaching the milestone with a goal in a 4–3 win over the Windsor Spitfires.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his OHL accolades, Kartye helped La Salle Secondary School capture its first Kingston Area Secondary Schools Athletic Association championship in 2017. His leadership in junior and minor hockey laid the groundwork for his professional success.
Tye Kartye Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kartye comes from a close-knit Kingston family with deep roots in education and healthcare. His mother, Richelle, is a clinical nurse educator, and his father, Todd, teaches secondary school chemistry. His sister, Talya, is a Registered Nurse. The family has been a consistent source of support throughout Kartye’s hockey journey, helping shape his disciplined approach on and off the ice.
Personal Life
Kartye maintains a relatively private personal life, with limited public information about relationships or residence beyond his professional commitments. He is active on social media, where fans can follow his hockey activities.
2025 Season Performance
Kartye spent the 2025 portion of the 2025–26 season with the Seattle Kraken, continuing to provide depth scoring and physicality. He recorded three goals and five assists in 40 games before being placed on waivers, while also ranking third on the team with 98 hits. His two-year contract extension with the Kraken after the 2024–25 season had signaled organizational confidence in his role, even as roster changes shaped his ice time.
Following his move to the New York Rangers in late February 2026, Kartye transitioned into a defensive-minded role within a retooling lineup. His ability to kill penalties, win board battles, and generate occasional offense gave the Rangers another bottom-six option as they evaluated their long-term roster plans.
Looking ahead, Kartye’s blend of size, speed, and two-way responsibility positions him as a potential long-term contributor for the Rangers. His track record of steady development, from undrafted OHL pick to NHL playoff goal-scorer, suggests he will continue to compete for meaningful minutes in a bottom-six capacity while offering valuable physicality on a nightly basis.
