Tyler Paul Myers Bio
Tyler Paul Myers is a Canadian-American professional ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain who has played over 1,000 games in the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing at 6 feet 8 inches tall, he is one of the tallest active players in the NHL. Myers was drafted 12th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie following the 2009-10 season. He has represented Canada internationally, winning gold medals at multiple tournaments including the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships, 2009 World Junior Championships, and 2023 IIHF World Championships.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Paul Myers was born on February 1, 1990, in Houston, Texas, to parents Paul Myers III and Tonja Stelly. When Myers was six years old, his father took him to his first hockey game, watching the Houston Aeros of the International Hockey League. Myers quickly became interested in the sport after attending that game and began playing shortly thereafter. In 2000, his father moved to Calgary, Alberta, and Myers joined him there, eventually acquiring Canadian citizenship. Myers has credited his move to Canada as a major influence on his development as a hockey player.
Path to NHL
Myers grew up in Calgary and played minor hockey at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame with the Hounds, a AAA midget team. He began his major junior career with the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League (WHL) during the 2005-06 season. Myers was selected by the Rockets in the first round, 19th overall, in the 2005 WHL Bantam Draft. Prior to his NHL draft year, he was ranked fourth among North American draft-eligible skaters by the NHL’s Central Scouting Services. Following the 2008-09 season, Myers helped the Rockets capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup championship, recording a junior career-high 42 points in the regular season and 20 points during the playoff run. He was named WHL Playoff MVP following the championship. On May 11, 2009, Myers signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres after his WHL season concluded.
Tyler Paul Myers Career
Buffalo Sabres (2009-2015)
Myers began the 2009-10 season with the Buffalo Sabres and quickly established himself as a top defenseman on the roster. He recorded his first NHL point, an assist, on October 8, 2009, against the Phoenix Coyotes. Eight days later, he scored his first NHL goal against Dwayne Roloson of the New York Islanders. Myers led all rookie defensemen in average ice time and was named NHL Rookie of the Month for January 2010. He completed his rookie season with 11 goals and 37 assists for 48 points, setting career highs in all offensive categories. Following the season, Myers won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie, beating out Matt Duchene of the Colorado Avalanche and Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings. The Sabres signed Myers to a seven-year, $38.5 million contract extension in September 2011. Myers suffered a broken leg during the 2012-13 season that ended his campaign. He remained with Buffalo through February 2015.
Winnipeg Jets (2015-2019)
On February 11, 2015, Myers was traded to the Winnipeg Jets along with Drew Stafford, Brendan Lemieux, Joel Armia, and a conditional first-round draft pick in exchange for Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian, and the rights to Jason Kasdorf. The 2015-16 season ended early due to hip and knee surgeries announced in March 2016. The following season saw Myers suffer another lower-body injury in November 2016 that required surgery, ending his second consecutive season prematurely. He returned to full health for the 2017-18 campaign, playing all 82 regular season games for the first time since his rookie season. Myers recorded six goals and 30 assists for 36 points while averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game as the Jets finished second in the Central Division and reached the Western Conference Final.
Vancouver Canucks (2019-Present)
On July 1, 2019, Myers signed as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks on a five-year, $30 million contract. Serving as alternate captain, Myers has provided the Canucks with a physical, left-shot defenseman who brings size, experience, and a strong power-play presence to their blue line. On June 27, 2024, the Canucks re-signed Myers to a three-year, $9 million contract extension through the 2026-27 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 8 inches, Myers uses his exceptional reach to disrupt passes and angle opponents away from dangerous scoring areas. His size makes him difficult to beat in one-on-one situations and around the net, where he excels at clearing opposing players from the crease. Myers combines his frame with physical play and is willing to block shots while contributing to the offensive attack from the blue line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Myers achieved the milestone of playing his 1,000th NHL game on October 19, 2024, becoming the 400th skater in league history to reach the milestone. He has represented Canada internationally, winning gold medals at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships and the 2009 World Junior Championships. He was also named to Canada’s senior team roster for the 2010 World Championships and later won gold at the 2023 IIHF World Championships.
Tyler Paul Myers Career Wins
Myers has accumulated wins across his junior career and NHL tenure while representing Canada at multiple international tournaments. His career highlights include major junior championships and international gold medals alongside his NHL achievements.
NHL Highlights
Myers won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie following the 2009-10 season. With the Winnipeg Jets, he helped the team advance to the Western Conference Final during the 2017-18 season, their deepest playoff run in franchise history. He reached the 1,000-game milestone in October 2024 with the Vancouver Canucks.
International Wins
Myers won a gold medal as part of Canada’s national team at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships. He later helped Canada capture a record-tying fifth consecutive gold medal at the 2009 World Junior Championships. In 2023, Myers added another gold medal to his collection at the IIHF World Championships.
Tyler Paul Myers Family
Family Background
Myers was born in Houston to Paul Myers III and Tonja Stelly. His family relocated to Calgary when he was 10 years old. Myers’ younger maternal half-brother is Quentin Grimes, who plays professional basketball in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers. Grimes and Myers became the first set of brothers to play professionally in both the NHL and NBA.
Personal Life
Myers married his wife in 2014. The couple have two children together. Myers maintains his residence in Calgary, Alberta, during the offseason while continuing his NHL career.
2025 Season Performance
Myers enters the 2025 season with the Vancouver Canucks in his sixth season with the franchise. Serving as alternate captain, Myers continues to provide veteran leadership and a physical presence on the Canucks’ blue line. His experience and size remain valuable assets as the team aims for continued success in the Pacific Division. The Canucks rely on Myers to mentor younger defensemen while contributing to both the power play and penalty-kill units. His consistent play and professional approach set an example in the dressing room as Vancouver looks to build on previous seasons and compete for playoff positioning.