Detroit City Wire

DETROIT -- Tyler Motte, a native of St. Clair, Michigan, has long been connected to the Detroit Red Wings. Growing up watching the team on television and playing youth hockey in the metro Detroit area, Motte's journey included stints with the Detroit Jr. Red Wings at the 2008 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament and two seasons (2011-13) with the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor. He later played three seasons (2013-16) at the University of Michigan.

Motte signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Red Wings on July 2, expressing his enthusiasm for joining his home state team.

“For me, just the fit and the opportunity,” Motte told DetroitRedWings.com on Monday. “My agent and I were happy to have the offer from Steve (Yzerman) and his crew early there on Day 2 (of 2024 NHL free agency) then get it across the finish line.”

Last season, Motte recorded nine points (six goals, three assists) in 69 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Originally selected 121st overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, he has accumulated 90 points over 400 career games with six different clubs: Chicago, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, and Tampa Bay since 2016-17.

The 29-year-old forward describes himself as a "200-foot player" and is clear about his role with Detroit this season.

“I’ve been in roles where I’ve played against teams’ top couple lines, a little bit more of a shutdown-matchup role,” Motte said. “I love killing penalties; that’s my favorite part of the game. I just appreciate that challenge and what that does for the group."

Motte is also eager to reunite with former Wolverines teammates J.T. Compher, Andrew Copp, and Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin.

“We’re all going to have different roles and opportunities," Motte said. "But to be able to do it together again is super special.”

Motte joins several other Michigan-born players on the Red Wings' roster including Larkin (Waterford), Copp and Jeff Petry (Ann Arbor), Alex DeBrincat (Farmington Hills), goalie Jack Campbell (Port Huron), Sheldon Dries (Macomb), Carter Mazur (Jackson), Austin Baker (White Lake), Kienan Draper (Royal Oak), and netminder Trey Augustine (South Lyon).

According to Yzerman, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Red Wings, this reflects well on Michigan's hockey community.

“I think it’s good for our market,” Yzerman said on July 4. “It shows the strength of hockey in Michigan... Most importantly we’re trying to put a good team on the ice.”

For Motte, representing his hometown NHL club carries significant weight.

“Kids all over Michigan and the country have eyes on the Wings,” Motte said. “Hopefully I can be that role model for them on and off the ice."

Reflecting on Detroit's late-season push for a playoff spot last year, Motte aims to contribute to their continued progress this season.

“They were playing some good hockey... Ultimately you end up shy," he noted. "But that type of experience prepares a team for how you start and finish a season."