Tyler Motte Bio
Tyler Motte is an American professional ice hockey forward who currently plays on a professional try-out for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL). Born on March 10, 1995, in St. Clair, Michigan, Motte has built a reputation as a versatile and dependable two-way forward throughout his professional career. He was selected 121st overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and began his professional career in 2016. Over the past decade, Motte has established himself as a reliable depth player across multiple NHL organizations, including the Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Detroit Red Wings. Known for his tenacious forechecking, defensive responsibility, and ability to contribute in high-pressure situations, Motte has carved out a durable professional career as a bottom-six forward capable of playing both center and wing positions.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Motte grew up in St. Clair, Michigan, where he developed his passion for hockey at a young age in the Great Lakes region known for producing talented players. As a youth player, Motte participated in the prestigious 2008 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Detroit Red Wings minor ice hockey organization, gaining valuable experience against international competition at an early age.
During the 2010-2011 season, Motte played for the Detroit Honeybaked U16 team of the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League. He recorded an impressive 22 goals and 14 assists in 33 games, helping Honeybaked capture USA Hockey’s Tier 1 national championship. Motte contributed three goals and three assists in six tournament games, including scoring two third-period goals to tie the championship game against Shattuck St. Mary’s, which Honeybaked won 3-2 in a comeback victory.
Path to Professional Hockey
Motte continued his development with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, training with the U-17 team during the 2011-2012 season. He recorded 25 goals and 16 assists in 53 games with the NTDP U-17 squad while also appearing in two games for the U-18 team, scoring once. In two USHL playoff games, Motte added two goals to his resume. During the 2012-2013 season, Motte compiled 26 goals and 19 assists in 67 games for the NTDP U-18 team, further establishing himself as a prospect to watch.
Following his standout amateur career, Motte committed to playing collegiate hockey for the University of Michigan. His development through the NTDP program and successful youth hockey career positioned him well for the transition to college hockey, where he would emerge as one of the top players in the country.
Tyler Motte Career
College Career with Michigan Wolverines (2013-2016)
Tyler Motte began his collegiate career for the Michigan Wolverines during the 2013-2014 season. As a freshman, he recorded nine goals and nine assists in 34 games, showing flashes of the scoring ability that would define his college career. He scored his first career collegiate goal on October 12, 2013, against Jordan Ruby of RIT and earned Big Ten Second Star of the Week honors twice during his debut season.
During the 2014-2015 season, Motte continued to develop his offensive game, recording nine goals and 22 assists in 35 games. He finished third on the team in assists and fourth in points while leading all Michigan forwards with 43 blocked shots, demonstrating the two-way play that would become his professional calling card. Motte recorded his first career four-point night with four assists in an 8-3 win over Ohio State, becoming the first Michigan player to record four assists in a game since Aaron Palushaj in 2009.
The 2015-2016 season represented Motte’s breakthrough year. He recorded 32 goals and 24 assists in 38 games, with his 56 points ranking third in the country in scoring. He was named Big Ten First Star of the Week multiple times and NCAA First Star of the Week following a stretch where he recorded four goals and three assists in two games against Penn State. Motte was named the Hockey Commissioners’ Association National Player of the Month for January 2016, leading the nation with 18 points and 10 goals in just six contests. During the Big Ten Tournament championship game, Motte tied the tournament record with two goals. He scored the overtime game-winning goal in the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals against Notre Dame, giving Michigan its first NCAA Tournament win since 2011. Following the outstanding season, Motte was named to the All-Big Ten First Team, was a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, and earned AHCA First Team All-American honors.
Professional Career (2016-Present)
Motte signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on April 6, 2016, and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. He finished the 2015-16 season with Rockford, collecting two goals and five points in five games. Motte opened the 2016-2017 season with Chicago and scored his first career NHL goal on October 21, 2016, in a 3-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was injured in a game versus the Dallas Stars on November 6, and upon his return, his play declined, leading to a demotion to Rockford on January 3, 2017.
On June 23, 2017, Motte was included in a major trade by the Blackhawks to the Columbus Blue Jackets, along with Artemi Panarin, in exchange for Brandon Saad and Anton Forsberg. After beginning the 2017-2018 season with Columbus, Motte and Jussi Jokinen were traded to the Vancouver Canucks on February 26, 2018, in exchange for Thomas Vanek. Playing his first full NHL season in 2018-2019, Motte set career highs in goals (9), assists (7), and points (16) while playing on Vancouver’s fourth line.
On March 13, 2019, Motte scored two goals in a span of 11 seconds during a game versus the New York Rangers, helping Vancouver win 4-1. During the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, his first experience in the NHL postseason, Motte made a significant impact by scoring twice in Game 5 of Vancouver’s first-round series against the St. Louis Blues, helping the Canucks win 4-3 to take a 3-2 series lead. He scored two more goals in Game 6, and Vancouver won the series in six games before eventually losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round.
On March 21, 2022, Motte was traded to the New York Rangers at the trade deadline in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick. He played 15 games with the Rangers that season without scoring a point in the regular season but registered two goals in 15 playoff games before the Rangers were eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning. After beginning the 2022-2023 season with the Ottawa Senators, Motte was traded back to the New York Rangers on February 19, 2023. On April 6, 2023, Motte recorded his first regular-season multi-goal game in a 6-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, a milestone he had previously achieved only in the playoffs.
On September 9, 2023, Motte signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. During the 2023-2024 season, he recorded six goals and three assists in 69 games. On July 2, 2024, Motte signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Detroit Red Wings, his hometown state’s NHL franchise. Following the conclusion of his contract with the Red Wings, Motte accepted an invitation to training camp with the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers but was released before the regular season. He subsequently signed a professional try-out contract with the Charlotte Checkers, Florida’s AHL affiliate, on October 15, 2025.
International Career
Motte represented the United States at multiple international tournaments during his amateur career. At the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, he recorded one assist in five games and won a silver medal. At the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships, Motte led the team with five goals while recording seven points in seven games, earning another silver medal. He also represented the United States at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, recording one assist in five games as the team finished in fifth place.
Tyler Motte Career Highlights
Throughout his professional career, Motte has been valued as a reliable depth forward known for his defensive play, physical presence, and ability to contribute in crucial moments. His most productive NHL season came with the Vancouver Canucks in 2018-2019, when he set career highs across the board while playing a regular shift on the fourth line. His playoff performances with Vancouver in 2020 demonstrated his ability to elevate his game when the stakes were highest, scoring four goals in six postseason games during the Canucks’ run to the second round.
Personal Life
Mental Health Advocacy
In January 2020, Motte participated in a video for the Vancouver Canucks’ annual Hockey Talks event, which focuses on mental health awareness in hockey. In the video, Motte openly discussed his diagnosis with anxiety and depression, demonstrating his willingness to speak about mental health challenges that professional athletes often face. By sharing his experience, Motte joined other hockey players in helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues in sports and providing support for those who may be struggling privately.
2025 Season Performance
Following his release from the Florida Panthers training camp after a try-out period, Tyler Motte signed a professional try-out contract with the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Panthers, on October 15, 2025. This opportunity represents a chance for Motte to continue his professional career and potentially earn a contract with the Checkers for the remainder of the 2025-2026 season. The Charlotte Checkers have been a consistently competitive AHL franchise, and Motte’s experience and versatility could provide valuable depth as the team pursues another playoff berth. At 30 years old, Motte brings a wealth of professional experience, including over 300 NHL games and significant playoff exposure, to a young Checkers roster. His ability to kill penalties and contribute in various forward positions makes him a flexible asset for Charlotte’s coaching staff as they evaluate their roster composition heading into the winter months.