'It was special': Former Greyhound makes storybook NHL debut

A former Soo Greyhound lived the stuff of hockey dreams last night.

Tye Kartye made his NHL debut Wednesday in a high-stakes assignment, suiting up for the Seattle Kraken in Game 5 of their playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche. Ironically enough, he was called up to replace another Hounds alum, Jared McCann, who was injured during the previous game.

But just being there wasn't enough for Kartye. The 21-year-old forward also scored his first-ever NHL goal — a critical second-period snipe that put the Kraken ahead 2-1 en route to an eventual 3-2 win.

Oh, and he was named first star of the game.

Not bad for a young player who wasn't even drafted by an NHL club.

"Obviously, it took a couple shifts to get used to, but then you're just playing hockey again," Kartye said during a post-game interview with the local television broadcaster.

His parents were at the arena in Colorado to watch their son's storybook debut, with his dad proudly sporting a Soo Greyhounds cap.

"Obviously, it was a great opportunity and it was a great feed from [Jordan Eberle] there, back door," he said, describing the goal. "It was special."

Kartye's journey to the NHL was anything but typical.

A native of Kingston, Ont., he was selected in the eighth round of the 2017 Ontario Hockey League draft (158th overall). Although he proved to be a standout for the Hounds — scoring 74 goals and collecting 82 assists in three full seasons — he was passed over in the NHL draft.

Undeterred, Kartye scored an invite to the Kraken's inaugural training camp in September 2021, working hard enough to earn a second look. Assigned this season to the Kraken's AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Kartye ran with the opportunity — leading all league rookies in goals and assists.

It's safe to assume that Kartye isn't heading back to the Firebirds anytime soon. Game 6 of the playoff series is scheduled for Friday night in Seattle, where the Kraken, up 3-2, have a chance to advance to the second round.