Tyler Motte Bio
Tyler Motte is an American professional ice hockey forward who plays as a left-shooting skater in professional leagues. Born on March 10, 1995, in St. Clair, Michigan, Motte was selected 121st overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and began his professional career in 2016. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing around 192 pounds, he has built a reputation as a reliable bottom-six forward known for his speed, penalty killing, and two-way responsibility.
Across his career, Tyler Motte has suited up for several National Hockey League organizations, including the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Detroit Red Wings. He has also represented the United States at multiple international tournaments, earning silver medals at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge and the IIHF World U18 Championships. He most recently joined the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League on a professional try-out.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Motte grew up in St. Clair, Michigan, a small community along the St. Clair River where youth hockey plays a central role in local sports culture. From an early age, he developed his skating and puck skills through community programs and travel hockey, eventually joining competitive squads that prepared him for higher-level opportunities.
As a youth player, Motte represented a Detroit Red Wings minor team at the 2008 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, an experience that exposed him to high-level competition outside his home region. He later played for the Detroit Honeybaked U16 team in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League, where his scoring touch and work ethic helped his squad capture a USA Hockey Tier 1 national championship during the 2010–11 season.
Path to Hockey
Tyler Motte’s journey toward professional hockey accelerated when he entered the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, where he trained and competed against many of the top American-born players of his age group. During the 2011–12 and 2012–13 seasons, he produced consistently at the U-17 and U-18 levels, building the résumé that made him a mid-round selection in the 2013 NHL Draft.
Following his draft selection by the Chicago Blackhawks, Motte committed to the University of Michigan, where he played three seasons for the Wolverines. He developed into one of the Big Ten Conference’s most productive forwards, finishing his final collegiate season among the nation’s leading scorers. His blend of speed, hockey sense, and defensive responsibility convinced Chicago that he was ready to turn professional.
Tyler Motte Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
During his three seasons with the Michigan Wolverines, Tyler Motte grew into one of the program’s most consistent contributors. His freshman year produced nine goals and nine assists, and he was recognized multiple times as the Big Ten Conference’s Second Star of the Week. As a sophomore, he matched his nine goals while adding 22 assists, finishing among the team leaders in scoring and blocked shots.
His breakout came during the 2015–16 campaign, when he scored 32 goals and added 24 assists in 38 games, ranking third nationally in points. He earned Big Ten First Star and NCAA weekly honors on multiple occasions, was named a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, and received AHCA First Team All-American recognition. On April 6, 2016, Motte signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, beginning his professional career.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2016–2017)
Tyler Motte opened the 2016–17 season with the Chicago Blackhawks and quickly recorded his first NHL goal on October 21, 2016, against the Columbus Blue Jackets. After an injury in November briefly sidelined him, he was assigned to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League to refine his game and earn consistent minutes.
He returned to the NHL lineup later in the season and appeared in 33 games for Chicago before being included in a major trade. On June 23, 2017, the Blackhawks sent Motte to the Columbus Blue Jackets as part of a blockbuster deal, giving him a fresh opportunity with a new organization.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2017–2018)
Tyler Motte spent most of his time with the Cleveland Monsters, Columbus’s AHL affiliate, where his strong early production earned him a quick recall to the NHL roster. He appeared in 19 games for the Blue Jackets, contributing three goals and four points before being shuffled between the NHL and AHL during a compressed season.
On February 26, 2018, Columbus traded Motte to the Vancouver Canucks, ending his brief tenure with the organization. The trade provided him with a clearer path to regular NHL playing time on the West Coast.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2018–2022)
Tyler Motte quickly became a fan favorite in Vancouver, playing a reliable bottom-six role on the Canucks’ fourth line while contributing on the penalty kill. During the 2018–19 season, he set career highs with nine goals, seven assists, and 16 points, and on March 13, 2019, he scored two goals in just 11 seconds against the New York Rangers.
His most memorable playoff performance came during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, when he scored two goals in both Game 5 and Game 6 of Vancouver’s first-round upset of the St. Louis Blues. He re-signed with the Canucks on a two-year deal in October 2020 and remained a steady contributor until being traded to the New York Rangers at the deadline in March 2022.
New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators Era (2022–2023)
After joining the Rangers at the 2022 trade deadline, Tyler Motte appeared in the 2022 playoffs, scoring twice in 15 postseason games as New York advanced to the Eastern Conference Final. As an unrestricted free agent, he signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Senators on September 14, 2022, but was later reacquired by the Rangers in February 2023 in exchange for Julien Gauthier and a draft pick.
During his second stint with the Rangers, Motte recorded his first regular-season multi-goal game on April 6, 2023, in a victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. A brief injury earlier in the spring limited him to a handful of contests, but he returned to contribute in a depth scoring role for New York.
Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings Era (2023–2025)
On September 9, 2023, Tyler Motte signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning and appeared in 69 games during the 2023–24 season, recording six goals and three assists while continuing to serve in a defensive and penalty-killing capacity. His experience and speed helped stabilize Tampa Bay’s bottom-six forward group throughout the campaign.
On July 2, 2024, Motte signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Detroit Red Wings, returning to his home state of Michigan. After completing his deal with Detroit, he accepted a try-out invitation with the Florida Panthers before ultimately signing a try-out contract with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League on October 15, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tyler Motte’s game is built on skating speed, relentless forechecking, and dependable penalty killing. Coaches have consistently trusted him in defensive matchups and on the fourth line, where his work rate and hockey IQ allow linemates to play with confidence. His compact frame and quick acceleration make him effective on the forecheck and in transition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Tyler Motte’s signature moments are his 11-second two-goal burst against the New York Rangers in 2019 and his pair of two-goal performances during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs against the St. Louis Blues. He has also represented the United States at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, the IIHF World U18 Championships, the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, and the IIHF World Championship.
Tyler Motte Career Wins
Tyler Motte has accumulated numerous regular-season and playoff victories across the NHL and AHL, with his most significant postseason success coming during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs with the Vancouver Canucks. While he has not won a major individual championship at the professional level, his consistent contributions have helped his teams reach the postseason on multiple occasions.
NHL Highlights
Tyler Motte’s NHL resume includes stints with seven organizations, highlighted by his role on Vancouver’s 2020 playoff upset of the St. Louis Blues. He has recorded multiple multi-goal games, including his first regular-season hat trick of two-goal performances against Tampa Bay in 2023 and his rapid two-goal burst against the Rangers in 2019.
International Performances
At the international level, Tyler Motte has earned two silver medals representing the United States, including a runner-up finish at the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and another silver at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he led his team with five goals. He has also skated for the United States at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship and the 2016 IIHF World Championship.
Tyler Motte Family
Personal Life
Beyond the rink, Tyler Motte has been open about his mental health journey, sharing in a January 2020 Vancouver Canucks Hockey Talks video that he has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. His willingness to speak publicly about these challenges has made him a respected voice among athletes advocating for mental wellness in professional sports.
2025 Season Performance
Following the conclusion of his one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings, Tyler Motte entered the 2025 offseason as an unrestricted free agent and accepted a professional try-out invitation from the Florida Panthers. After his release from the Panthers’ training camp, he signed a try-out contract with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League on October 15, 2025, providing him a path back to the NHL.
Motte’s veteran presence and penalty-killing experience made him an attractive depth option for clubs evaluating forward depth heading into the 2025–26 campaign. His early-season performance with Charlotte will likely determine whether he earns another NHL opportunity or continues his career at the AHL level.
For Tyler Motte, the 2025 season represents a chance to extend a professional journey that began in 2016 and has taken him across the NHL. His mix of speed, two-way play, and leadership qualities continues to make him a valuable depth forward for organizations seeking reliable bottom-six minutes.
