Tyler Motte Bio
Tyler Motte is an American professional ice hockey forward, born on March 10, 1995, in St. Clair, Michigan. He was selected 121st overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and began his professional career in 2016 after a decorated stint at the University of Michigan. Motte has since suited up for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Detroit Red Wings, building a reputation as a reliable two-way and penalty-kill forward. He currently plays on a professional try-out for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Across his professional journey, Motte has been valued for his speed, defensive responsibility, and ability to contribute in high-pressure moments. He registered his first career NHL goal in 2016, scored two goals in 11 seconds during a 2019 game, and produced key playoff performances for Vancouver in the 2020 postseason. His journey through multiple organizations reflects the resilience of a fourth-line forward who has consistently earned roles through responsible play and timely scoring.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Motte was born and raised in St. Clair, Michigan, where he grew up immersed in the region’s strong youth hockey culture. As a youth, he played in the 2008 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a Detroit Red Wings minor team, gaining early exposure to competitive hockey outside his home state. His development continued with the Detroit Honeybaked U16 program, where he recorded 22 goals and 14 assists in 33 games during the 2010–11 season.
That season, Honeybaked captured USA Hockey’s Tier 1 national championship, and Motte contributed three goals and three assists in six tournament games, including two third-period goals in a 3–2 comeback win over Shattuck St. Mary’s in the final. These formative years sharpened his two-way game and prepared him for the next step in his hockey path.
Path to Hockey
Motte’s next step came with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP), where he trained with the U-17 team during the 2011–12 season and recorded 25 goals and 16 assists in 53 games. He also appeared in two games for the U-18 squad, scoring once, and added two goals in two USHL playoff games. In 2012–13, he returned to the U-18 team and tallied 26 goals and 19 assists in 67 games, cementing his status as a top NHL prospect.
His play at the NTDP earned him an invitation to represent the United States at the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he won a silver medal, and the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he again won silver while leading the team with five goals. These international appearances showcased his offensive upside and helped position him as a Day 2 NHL Draft selection.
Tyler Motte Career
College Career at Michigan (2013–2016)
Following his draft year, Motte enrolled at the University of Michigan, where he played three seasons for the Wolverines. During his freshman year in 2013–14, he posted nine goals and nine assists in 34 games and earned multiple Big Ten weekly honors. As a sophomore in 2014–15, he set up the offense with 22 assists, finishing third on the team and becoming the first Michigan player to record four assists in a game since Aaron Palushaj in 2009.
His junior season in 2015–16 was his most productive, as he scored 32 goals and added 24 assists for 56 points in 38 games, ranking third nationally in scoring. He recorded his first career hat-trick on January 17, 2016, was named Big Ten First Star of the Week three times, and was honored as the Hockey Commissioners’ Association National Player of the Month for January. Motte capped his college career by scoring the overtime game-winning goal against Notre Dame in the 2016 NCAA Tournament regional semifinals and was later named an AHCA First Team All-American and a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
NHL Debut with the Chicago Blackhawks (2016–2017)
On April 6, 2016, Motte signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. After a brief AHL stint with the Rockford IceHogs that spring, he opened the 2016–17 season in the NHL. Motte scored his first career NHL goal on October 21, 2016, in a 3–2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, but was later assigned back to Rockford in January 2017 after a dip in form. He was recalled at the end of the IceHogs season and appeared in 33 total NHL games during his rookie year.
Columbus Blue Jackets and Vancouver Canucks (2017–2022)
On June 23, 2017, Motte was part of a blockbuster trade that sent him, Artemi Panarin, and a draft pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Brandon Saad and Anton Forsberg. After splitting time between Columbus and the Cleveland Monsters, Motte was traded to the Vancouver Canucks on February 26, 2018, in a deal for Thomas Vanek. With Vancouver, he found a stable role on the fourth line and in 2018–19 set career highs with nine goals, seven assists, and 16 points.
A memorable moment came on March 13, 2019, when he scored two goals in just 11 seconds against the New York Rangers in a 4–1 win. Motte re-signed with Vancouver and later played a key role in the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, scoring twice in Game 5 and twice in Game 6 of the first-round series against the St. Louis Blues to help the Canucks advance. Vancouver fell to the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round, but Motte’s playoff performances cemented his value as a depth scorer.
New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, and Tampa Bay Lightning (2022–2024)
On March 21, 2022, Motte was traded to the New York Rangers at the deadline, where he contributed two goals in 15 playoff games before the Rangers were eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning. After becoming an unrestricted free agent, he signed a one-year deal with the Ottawa Senators on September 14, 2022, but was later reacquired by the Rangers in February 2023. He scored his first regular-season multi-goal game in a 6–3 victory over Tampa Bay on April 6, 2023, then signed a one-year contract with the Lightning on September 9, 2023, recording six goals and three assists in 69 games during 2023–24.
Detroit Red Wings and Charlotte Checkers (2024–Present)
On July 2, 2024, Motte signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Detroit Red Wings. After completing his deal, he attended the Florida Panthers’ training camp ahead of 2025–26 on a try-out invitation but was released. On October 15, 2025, he accepted a professional try-out contract with the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Panthers, where he continues his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Motte is best known for his speed, defensive awareness, and penalty-killing reliability, traits that have made him a trusted fourth-line forward throughout his NHL career. His ability to generate quick offense, including his famous two-goals-in-11-seconds performance, highlights his knack for opportunistic scoring. Coaches have consistently trusted him in tight defensive matchups and shorthanded situations, where his work rate and hockey IQ stand out.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Motte’s signature achievements are his first NHL goal in 2016, his record-tying two-goal flurry in 11 seconds for Vancouver in 2019, and his four-goal performance in the 2020 playoffs against St. Louis. He also reached 100 career points at Michigan, was named an AHCA First Team All-American, and earned silver medals with the United States at both the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships.
Tyler Motte Career Wins
Across his junior, college, and professional career, Tyler Motte has built a steady resume of victories at every level. He captured a USA Hockey Tier 1 national championship with Honeybaked in 2011, won Big Ten weekly awards multiple times at Michigan, and contributed to playoff series wins for the Vancouver Canucks in 2020.
Junior and Collegiate Highlights
During his time with the USA Hockey NTDP, Motte helped the program compete at a high level and won silver medals at major international tournaments. At Michigan, he was a key part of the 2015–16 squad that advanced in the NCAA Tournament, and he was recognized as one of the top ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award.
Other Wins and Performances
In the NHL, Motte recorded his first regular-season multi-goal game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023 and scored multiple goals in playoff games during Vancouver’s 2020 postseason run. He has consistently delivered timely performances for his teams despite a bottom-six role.
Tyler Motte Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Tyler Motte’s parents and immediate family are not publicly documented in available sources.
Personal Life
In January 2020, Motte participated in a Vancouver Canucks Hockey Talks video, where he publicly shared that he had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. His openness helped raise awareness of mental health within the hockey community.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025–26 season, Tyler Motte joined the Florida Panthers’ training camp on a professional try-out, hoping to earn an NHL opportunity with the defending Stanley Cup champions. After being released from the Panthers’ camp, he signed a try-out contract with their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, on October 15, 2025. The move allows Motte to remain within Florida’s organization while continuing to compete at a high level.
As a veteran forward with more than 300 NHL games of experience, Motte brings leadership and penalty-killing expertise to a young Charlotte roster. His presence also gives the Panthers front office flexibility to recall a dependable depth forward should injuries arise during the season.
Looking ahead, Motte’s main objective is to demonstrate that he can still contribute at the NHL level and potentially earn a contract with the Panthers or another NHL club. His track record of two-way play, playoff reliability, and character makes him a strong candidate to return to the NHL if an opportunity arises during the 2025–26 campaign.