Photo by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey

Tyler Motte talks about decision process of returning to Michigan or turning pro

Photo by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey
Photo by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey

 

By @MichaelCaples –

ANN ARBOR – Tyler Motte is in a position that 99 percent of hockey players can only dream of.

While he waits to find out if his name is on Hobey Hat Trick list – the three finalists for the most prestigious award in collee hockey – Motte is trying to decide between returning for his senior year at Michigan or signing with the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.

The St. Clair native is a draftee of said Original Six club, and after a 2015-16 NCAA season that saw his goal output jump from nine to 32, Motte certainly has the attention of the Blackhawks.

Right now, Motte said he plans on taking his time before making a decision about where he will play next season – or later this season.

“Just gathering all the information, making sure you’re making the right decisions,” he said during an informal skate at Yost Ice Arena yesterday. “You don’t want to regret it down the road no matter what way you go. Really just taking my time and understanding everything that goes into it. Don’t need to rush to a decision, just make sure you understand every option and which way is right for you.”

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Motte said it’s been a whirlwind last few days following his team’s elimination from the NCAA Tournament. Instead of resting up, he’s hard at work trying to figure out what’s next.

“It comes pretty quick,” Motte said. “You think maybe after the end of the year, a long bus ride home, you might get a few days to relax and maybe reminisce about how much fun it was and really the lasting moments, but it kind of goes the other way. You’re a little more busy, especially for the guys that have the opportunity to potentially leave, just a little more on the plate. In a couple weeks, it’ll settle down and guys will have made decisions and they’ll be a little more comfortable with where everyone’s at.”

There are many people around Ann Arbor anxiously awaiting his decision, along with his linemates JT Compher and Kyle Connor. All three could make the jump to the professional ranks, ending the famed ‘CCM Line’ after just one season of historic scoring prowess.

Motte, however, said that the decisions of his teammates would not factor into his own.

“I don’t think so,” the NTDP alum said. “I think everyone is selfishly doing what’s best for themselves. Obviously you want to do what’s best for the team and for the university when you’re here, and I guess in the offseason now it’s time for guys to be a bit selfish and rightfully so. Everyone’s got to do what’s best for them and what’s best for their career. I don’t think you want to base yourself off someone else. You can’t go through your whole life making sure other people are with you. It doesn’t hurt either way to know what other guys are thinking… we’re all bugging each other each day and stuff like that just to know what other people are thinking and making sure you know all the information that goes into it.”

Motte’s coach – legendary Michigan bench boss Red Berenson – said that Motte and Compher’s decisions could impact his decision to retire or return for another year.

“I think [Berenson] has told us he’s kind of in the same situation as a lot of guys,” Motte said. “We don’t know exactly what he’s going to do. Again, it’s just been a couple days after the season’s over, so it’s still kind of letting everything settle down and, for him, getting all the details and understanding if he’s coming back, what kind of roster he’s coming back to and is he really up to going another full eight, twelve months of hockey. For him, if he decides to retire, he’s clearly earned it. He’s done an unbelievable job for the program her, but again, just another guy you’re going to have to wait and see I guess.”