Tyler Motte to leave Michigan for Blackhawks

By @MichaelCaples –

Tyler Motte will be foregoing his senior season in Ann Arbor, as the Wolverines forward will be making the jump to the professional hockey ranks.

Per Jason Rubinstein of the Daily and later confirmed by the Wolverines, Motte has signed with Chicago, his NHL parent club.

The Blackhawks have signed Motte to a three-year, entry-level contract, which will kick in for the 2016-17 season.

“I’m excited,” Motte said in a release from the Wolverines. “The timing was right and the opportunity in the near future was tough to pass up. It’ll be tough leaving Michigan, especially my teammates, the coaching staff, and friends and family that are close by. I’ll be back to graduate whether it’s over the summer with classes or down the road.”

Motte, a fourth-round pick of the Blackhawks in 2013, concluded his junior season with the Wolverines as a Hobey Baker finalist. The St. Clair native racked up 32 goals this past season, second to only teammate Kyle Connor (35) for the NCAA lead.

He was the ‘M’ in the famed ‘CCM Line’ with Connor and UM captain JT Compher – the first-ever forward group to all be Hobey Baker finalists. All three were also named first-team All Big Ten at the conclusion of the regular season, as well.

“The coaching staff has been great for three years, giving me every opportunity to succeed,” Motte said. “It’s been a great group of teammates here. I can’t thank enough everyone that’s impacted me here, including the professors, and students that have made the experience the best it can be.”

Motte, a NTDP alum, produced 56 points this year, good for the No. 3 spot in the country in the scoring race behind his two linemates.

Over three seasons with the Wolverines, Motte recorded 50 goals and 55 assists for 105 points in 107 NCAA games.