Tyler Wright facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tyler Wright |
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| Born | April 6, 1973 Canora, Saskatchewan, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | Edmonton Oilers Pittsburgh Penguins Columbus Blue Jackets Mighty Ducks of Anaheim EHC Basel |
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| National team | .svg){kind=small} Canada |
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| NHL Draft | 12th overall, 1991 Edmonton Oilers |
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| Playing career | 1992–2007 | ||
Tyler Wright (born April 6, 1973) is a former professional ice hockey player from Canada. He played in 613 games in the NHL. He played for teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. After his playing career, Tyler worked as a director of player personnel and amateur scouting for the Edmonton Oilers. He and the Oilers decided to go their separate ways on August 23, 2023.
Tyler was born in Canora, Saskatchewan, but he grew up in Kamsack, Saskatchewan.
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Tyler Wright's Hockey Journey
Tyler Wright had a long career in hockey, starting as a young player and later working behind the scenes. He was known for his strong play and leadership on the ice.
Starting His Career
Tyler began his hockey journey in junior leagues before making it to the NHL. He showed great skill and determination from a young age.
Drafted by the Oilers
In 1991, the Edmonton Oilers picked Tyler as the 12th player overall in the NHL Entry Draft. Before joining the NHL, he played for the Swift Current Broncos in a junior league called the WHL. In his first year, he scored 32 points. The next year, he got even better, scoring 41 goals and 92 points in 66 games. In the 1991-92 season, he scored 36 goals and 82 points.
Playing in the AHL
After being drafted, Tyler played a few games with the Oilers in the NHL. However, he spent most of his early professional time with their minor league team, the Cape Breton Oilers. This team played in the AHL, which is a league where players often develop their skills before playing full-time in the NHL.
Time with NHL Teams
Tyler played for several teams during his NHL career, showing his toughness and skill in each stop.
Pittsburgh Penguins Years
On June 22, 1996, Tyler joined the Pittsburgh Penguins. He played 45 games with them in his first season there. In the 1997-98 season, he became a full-time NHL player, playing all 82 games for the Penguins. He helped his team win their division and then played in his first playoff games.
In the 1998-99 season, Tyler played 61 games for the Penguins without scoring any points. This gave him an NHL record for playing the most games in a single season without getting a point. The next year, he played 50 games and scored 12 goals and 22 points. In the 1999 playoffs, he scored four points in eleven games. He scored his first playoff goal on April 21 against the Washington Capitals.
Leading the Blue Jackets
On June 23, 2000, Tyler was chosen by the new team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, in the NHL Expansion Draft. In his first season with the Blue Jackets, he scored 16 goals and 32 points. He became an important leader for the team on the ice.
Tyler was also known for scoring "hat tricks." A hat trick in hockey is when one player scores three goals in a single game. He scored two special hat tricks where he scored one goal while his team was at even strength, one on a power play (when the other team has a penalty), and one while his team was shorthanded (on the penalty kill). His first special hat trick was on March 16, 2001, against the Atlanta Thrashers. His second was on October 27, 2002, against the Los Angeles Kings.
During the 2004-05 NHL season, there was a lockout, meaning no games were played in the NHL. During this time, Tyler played for a Swiss team called EHC Biel.
Moving to Anaheim
After playing four seasons in Columbus, Tyler was traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on November 15, 2005. His contract with Anaheim ended in June 2006.
Playing for Canada
Tyler also proudly represented his home country, Canada, in international hockey tournaments.
| Medal record | ||
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| Representing Canada |
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| Ice hockey | ||
| World Junior Championships | ||
| Gold | 1993 Gävle | |
He played for Canada at the 1992 and 1993 World Junior Championships. In the 1993 tournament, he was an alternate captain and helped Canada win the gold medal. He was also part of Canada's team at the World Championship in 2002.
After Playing Hockey
After retiring as a player, Tyler continued to work in hockey, helping young players and scouting new talent.
In July 2007, Tyler rejoined the Columbus Blue Jackets team, but this time in their front office. He became a development coach. His job was to work with young players and help them improve their skills. He also helped develop players in minor leagues and college hockey.
On July 1, 2013, Tyler left the Blue Jackets. Just nine days later, on July 10, 2013, he became the director of amateur scouting for the Detroit Red Wings. This meant he was in charge of finding new, talented young players for the team. On July 11, 2019, it was announced that Tyler would leave the Detroit Red Wings to join new General Manager Ken Holland in Edmonton. They had worked together for six years with the Red Wings. Tyler Wright and the Edmonton Oilers decided to part ways on August 22, 2023.
