When the Vancouver Canucks acquired Tyler Motte at last year’s trade deadline, many fans thought Motte to be nothing more than a depth player who would spend the majority of his career in the minors and never make an impact with the team.
Acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets along with Jussi Jokinen in exchange for Thomas Vanek, Motte was a player who had a promising collegiate career with the University of Michigan but was never able to translate that success in the National Hockey League.
Motte was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks at 121st overall in the fourth round of the 2013 NHL draft.