Tye Kartye Bio
Tye Kartye is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays as a left winger for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on April 30, 2001, in Kingston, Ontario, Kartye began his professional career in 2022 after a successful junior career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He was undrafted but earned an opportunity with the Seattle Kraken organization, where he developed into a reliable two-way forward. Kartye gained widespread recognition for his scoring ability in his rookie AHL season, earning him the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award as the league’s top rookie. His journey from an eighth-round OHL draft pick to an NHL regular demonstrates his persistence and development as a professional player.
Early Life and Background
Tye Kartye was born on April 30, 2001, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. His mother, Richelle, worked as a clinical nurse educator, while his father, Todd, was a secondary school chemistry teacher. His sister, Talya, pursued a career as a Registered Nurse. Kartye’s upbringing in Kingston provided him with opportunities to develop his hockey skills in a supportive family environment that valued both academics and athletics.
Kartye played minor ice hockey with the Greater Kingston Jr. Frontenacs of the Eastern AAA Hockey League. During his final season with the Frontenacs, he recorded 28 goals and 51 points in just 36 games, demonstrating early promise as a scoring forward. Beyond his club hockey, Kartye also represented La Salle Secondary School, where he helped the team win their first Kingston Area Secondary Schools Athletic Association championship in 2017. This early success laid the foundation for his transition to major junior hockey.
Path to Hockey
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds selected Kartye in the eighth round, with the 158th overall pick, during the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. Despite this selection, Kartye initially failed to make the team during the 2017-18 season. He returned the following year having dedicated himself to physical development, which allowed him to earn a spot on the roster. On September 5, 2018, Kartye officially signed with the Greyhounds, joining the team for the 2018-19 season and beginning his journey in major junior hockey.
Kartye’s dedication to improving his game paid off as he progressed through his junior career. He evolved from a marginal player into a consistent scoring threat, eventually earning leadership responsibilities with the Greyhounds. His trajectory from an overlooked draft pick to a key contributor demonstrates the work ethic and persistence that characterized his development path.
Tye Kartye Career
Junior Career (2018-2022)
Kartye began his OHL career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds during the 2018-19 season. He scored his first junior goal on November 21, 2018, during a 7-4 victory over the Sudbury Wolves. Playing both left wing and centre, Kartye recorded 4 goals and 20 assists in 64 games during his rookie season. He added 2 goals and 3 points in 11 playoff games as the Greyhounds were eliminated in the OHL Western Conference semifinals.
During the 2019-20 season, Kartye showed significant improvement while playing on the top line alongside Jaromír Pytlík and Zack Trott. By Christmas break, he had already recorded 35 points including 14 goals in 34 games. When the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kartye had accumulated 25 goals and 53 points in 64 games, ranking third on the Greyhounds in scoring. Head coach John Dean praised Kartye’s dedication and consistency throughout what was an otherwise frustrating season for the team.
The 2020-21 OHL season was canceled due to the pandemic, but Kartye returned as one of five overage players for the 2021-22 season. He was named an alternate captain behind Ryan O’Rourke, demonstrating the leadership qualities the organization valued in him. Kartye achieved several milestones that season, including scoring his first OHL hat trick on October 14, 2021, in a 6-3 victory over the Barrie Colts. He recorded his 100th OHL point two weeks later and added another hat trick on April 4. Kartye finished the season with 45 goals and 79 points in 63 games, earning a place on the 2021-22 OHL Third All-Star Team and becoming a finalist for the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy as the league’s top overage player. Across three OHL seasons, he recorded 74 goals and 156 points in 191 games.
Seattle Kraken Breakthrough (2022-2026)
On March 1, 2022, the Seattle Kraken signed Kartye to a three-year, entry-level contract, marking his transition to professional hockey. During the 2022-23 season with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Kartye established himself as one of the AHL’s top rookies. He recorded 28 goals and 29 assists in 72 games, leading all rookies in scoring with 57 points. Notably, he was one of only eight rookies league-wide to appear in all 72 of his team’s games during the regular season. Following the season, Kartye was awarded the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s top rookie and was named to the AHL Rookie All-Star Team.
On April 16, 2023, Kartye received his first NHL recall. He made his NHL debut on April 26 during Game 5 of the Western Conference first round against the Colorado Avalanche in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, stepping in for the injured Jared McCann who had been hit by Cale Makar. Kartye played on the Kraken’s top line alongside Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle and scored his first career NHL goal against Alexandar Georgiev during the second period. He became the eighth player in NHL history to score a playoff goal in his NHL debut and the first since Makar in 2019, signaling his ability to perform at the highest level.
Kartye spent three seasons with the Kraken organization from 2023 to 2026. He recorded 20 goals and 21 assists in 180 career regular season games with Seattle. On February 26, 2026, the Kraken placed Kartye on waivers, and he was claimed by the New York Rangers the following day.
New York Rangers Era (2026-Present)
On February 27, 2026, the New York Rangers claimed Kartye off waivers, acquiring him from the Seattle Kraken. Upon joining the Rangers, Kartye became part of a group of bottom-six forwards expected to contribute defensively during the team’s retooling phase. His ability to play both wings and provide energy while also contributing offensively made him a valuable addition to the Rangers’ forward depth.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kartye has established himself as a versatile two-way forward capable of contributing in multiple situations. His strong work ethic and consistency have been hallmarks of his game throughout his career, qualities that helped him earn the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award and ultimately secure a permanent NHL role. He has demonstrated the ability to play both centre and left wing, providing lineup flexibility for his coaches. Kartye’s physical style includes a notable willingness to engage in puck battles and create space for his teammates.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kartye’s most significant milestone came during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs when he made his NHL debut and scored his first career NHL goal in the same game. This performance made him just the eighth player in NHL history to score a playoff goal in his debut and the first since Cale Makar accomplished the feat in 2019. His journey from undrafted free agent to scoring in the NHL playoffs represents one of the more remarkable ascension stories in recent hockey history.
Tye Kartye Career Wins
Kartye has built an impressive list of accomplishments across his junior and professional career, earning recognition at both the OHL and AHL levels.
Major Awards Highlights
At the AHL level, Kartye won the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award in 2023, recognizing him as the league’s top rookie. He was also named to the AHL Rookie All-Star Team following that exceptional season. In the OHL, Kartye earned a place on the 2021-22 OHL Third All-Star Team and was a finalist for the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy as the top overage player in the league. His junior career totals include 74 goals and 156 points in 191 games with the Greyhounds.
Other Achievements
Beyond his statistical accomplishments, Kartye achieved team success during his minor hockey days, helping La Salle Secondary School win their first Kingston Area Secondary Schools Athletic Association championship in 2017. His selection as an alternate captain during his overage season with the Greyhounds reflected both his on-ice abilities and his leadership qualities within the organization.
Tye Kartye Family
Family Background
Tye Kartye comes from a family with strong academic and professional achievements. His mother, Richelle, worked as a clinical nurse educator, bringing healthcare expertise to the family. His father, Todd, was a secondary school chemistry teacher, sharing a passion for science and education. His sister, Talya, followed in the family’s footsteps by becoming a Registered Nurse. This supportive family environment provided Kartye with the foundation to pursue his hockey dreams while maintaining emphasis on education and professional development.
Personal Life
Kartye continues to maintain connections to his Ontario roots while pursuing his professional hockey career. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children has not been made publicly available. His athletic pursuits are supported by a family background that values both academic and professional excellence, which likely contributes to his professional approach to his hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
Prior to being placed on waivers during the 2025-26 season, Kartye recorded 3 goals and 5 assists in 40 games with the Seattle Kraken. He ranked third on the team with 98 hits, demonstrating his willingness to engage physically and create energy for his team. In three seasons with the Kraken organization, Kartye compiled 20 goals and 21 assists in 180 career regular season games, establishing himself as a reliable depth player capable of contributing in various roles.
The 2025-26 season saw Kartye continue to serve as a bottom-six forward who could provide energy and defensive responsibility. His performance throughout his tenure with Seattle demonstrated consistency and the ability to handle an expanded role when called upon. Following his waiver claim by the New York Rangers in February 2026, Kartye joined a team undergoing a retooling phase, where his two-way play and physical style were expected to contribute to the club’s forward depth and team identity.