Tyler Pace Bio
Tyler Pace is a Canadian professional box lacrosse forward who plays for the Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Born on April 5, 1995, in Coquitlam, British Columbia, he is recognized for his offensive skill set and his path through the University of Denver program before turning professional in 2018. Drafted ninth overall in the 2017 NLL Entry Draft, Pace has spent his entire NLL career with the Roughnecks and has become a steady contributor on the wing.
Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and listed at 195 pounds, Pace is a right-handed shooter known for his finishing ability and lacrosse IQ. Beyond his playing career, he founded Pro Caliber Lacrosse, a British Columbia-based player development program, and serves as a player representative for the NLL Players Association.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Pace was born in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, and raised in a family that fostered his love for sport from a young age. According to published reports, his mother Sandy and his Italian grandfather were influential in his early athletic development, and he first picked up a lacrosse stick at age three. The combination of family support and Canada’s strong box lacrosse culture helped him grow up around the game.
He attended Blue Ridge School in Dyke, Virginia, in the United States, finishing his high school career away from his home province. His time at Blue Ridge gave him exposure to a different style of lacrosse and helped prepare him for the next step in the sport.
Before heading to the United States for school, Pace played junior lacrosse for the Coquitlam Adanacs, one of the most storied programs in Canadian box lacrosse. He developed under future Calgary Roughnecks head coach Curt Malawsky and played alongside future NLL teammates Christian Del Bianco and Eli Salama. He capped his junior career by winning a Minto Cup in 2016.
Path to Lacrosse
Coming out of Blue Ridge School, Pace was regarded as one of the top young Canadian lacrosse prospects in his class. His play with the Adanacs, combined with his time in the Virginia prep system, gave him a well-rounded background in both box and field lacrosse.
He committed to the University of Denver, a perennial NCAA powerhouse, where he joined the Denver Pioneers men’s lacrosse program. The decision to play NCAA Division I lacrosse allowed him to continue developing his game against high-level competition while earning a degree.
His time with the Pioneers served as the bridge between his Canadian junior roots and his professional career in the NLL, setting the stage for his selection in the 2017 NLL Entry Draft.
Tyler Pace Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Pace spent four seasons with the Denver Pioneers from 2014 through 2017, quickly establishing himself as a key offensive player. As a sophomore in 2015, he was part of the Pioneers squad that won an NCAA championship, giving him early experience on the sport’s biggest collegiate stage.
In 2016, he was recognized as a Second Team All-American by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) and was named First Team All-Big East. By the end of his senior season, he had climbed to fifth on Denver’s all-time points list with 155 career points, cementing his status as one of the program’s most productive players of his era.
NLL Breakthrough (2017–2018)
Pace was selected ninth overall by the Calgary Roughnecks in the 2017 NLL Entry Draft, the same year he graduated from Denver. Although he was drafted as a forward, he began his professional career as a defenceman because the Roughnecks already had depth up front.
After adjusting to the pro game and the physical demands of the NLL, he eventually worked his way back to his natural position of forward. The transition paid off, and he settled into a role as a scoring winger who could also contribute in transition.
Calgary Roughnecks Era (2018–Present)
Since making his NLL debut in the 2018 season, Tyler Pace has been a member of the Calgary Roughnecks. His tenure with the franchise has coincided with a competitive stretch for one of the league’s flagship organizations, and he has continued to grow as a contributor on the wing.
Working within the Roughnecks’ system, he has developed into a reliable secondary scorer and a steady presence in the locker room. His combination of junior pedigree, NCAA pedigree, and professional experience has made him a respected figure among teammates and coaches in Calgary.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pace is a right-handed forward who blends the finishing instincts learned in Canadian box lacrosse with the field lacrosse skill set he refined at Denver. He is comfortable operating in tight space near the crease, can finish on the run, and is willing to work off the ball to create opportunities for his linemates. His background as a junior Adanac and his four years of NCAA experience have helped him build a complete offensive game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of his career to date are his 2015 NCAA championship with the University of Denver, his 2016 Minto Cup win with the Coquitlam Adanacs, and his 2016 USILA Second Team All-America selection. He was also selected ninth overall in the 2017 NLL Entry Draft, a mark of his standing as a top professional prospect.
Tyler Pace Career Wins
Tyler Pace has collected championship hardware at every level of the sport he has played. His trophy case includes a Minto Cup from Canadian junior lacrosse, an NCAA Division I national championship from his time at Denver, and a steady role with the Calgary Roughnecks in the NLL.
Junior and Collegiate Highlights
Pace won the Minto Cup, the national championship of Canadian junior A box lacrosse, in 2016 with the Coquitlam Adanacs. The following year, he was recognized as a USILA Second Team All-American for his work with the Denver Pioneers in 2016, and he finished his college career as the fifth all-time leading scorer in program history with 155 points.
Most recently, he added an NCAA championship ring in 2015, a sophomore-year triumph that helped define his development as a player at the collegiate level.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond team championships, Pace earned First Team All-Big East honors in 2016, an individual accolade that highlighted his impact during his junior year at Denver. He has continued to be a contributor in the NLL with the Calgary Roughnecks since 2018.
Tyler Pace Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Pace’s family is limited, though it is known that his mother, Sandy, and his Italian grandfather were important early influences on his athletic development. His grandfather in particular helped introduce him to lacrosse when he was only three years old, planting the seed for a career in the sport.
Personal Life
Pace has balanced his playing career with off-field ventures, founding Pro Caliber Lacrosse, a player development and travel program based in British Columbia that he established after graduating from Denver in 2017. He chose the business over an opportunity to play in Major League Lacrosse and has described his goal as helping young lacrosse players reach the NCAA level. He is also a player representative for the NLL Players Association.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Tyler Pace remained a member of the Calgary Roughnecks, continuing his long tenure with the franchise that drafted him in 2017. As a veteran right-handed forward, he was expected to provide scoring depth, steady two-way play, and leadership in the locker room for a Roughnecks team looking to climb the NLL standings.
The 2025 campaign was framed around Calgary’s push up the Western Division standings, with Pace playing a supporting offensive role alongside younger contributors. His familiarity with the team’s systems and his experience from past playoff runs gave the Roughnecks a reliable presence in the forward group.
Looking ahead, Pace’s mix of junior pedigree, NCAA championship experience, and years of NLL service positions him as a veteran leader for Calgary. His continued production, combined with his off-field work through Pro Caliber Lacrosse, ensures he remains a notable figure in the Canadian and North American lacrosse landscape.