Rookie Tye Kartye made some remarkable NHL history in his professional debut on Wednesday, scoring for the Seattle Kraken in Game 5 against the Colorado Avalanche.
Kartye found the back of the net at 9:59 of the second period, giving the Kraken a 2-1 lead.
☑️ First NHL Game
— NHL (@NHL) April 27, 2023
☑️ First #StanleyCup Playoffs appearance
☑️ First NHL Goal
Have a night, Tye Kartye.
: @espn ➡️ https://t.co/0CFioXjx18
: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/c0FJF22IZL pic.twitter.com/POgKing347
The 21-year-old became only the eighth player ever to score in their playoff debut and the first since Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar accomplished the feat in 2019.
Making your NHL debut in the #StanleyCup Playoffs is already an accomplishment, but scoring a goal in that game too? Tye Kartye is off to a flying start with the @SeattleKraken.#NHLStats: https://t.co/aYOQaW0oA9 pic.twitter.com/cd45nDJUrI
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 27, 2023
Furthermore, Kartye joins Igor Nikulin (1997), Mike Corbett (1968) and Leo Thiffault (1968) as the only player to make his NHL debut for a franchise playing in its first postseason, per NHL PR.
Kartye was a last-minute replacement for injured forward Jared McCann, who was hit late by Makar in Game 4, leading to a one-game suspension.
The Kingston, Ontario, native starred for the OHL's Soo Greyhounds, tallying 74 goals and 82 assists for 156 points over three seasons. Despite his success at the junior level, Kartye went undrafted, signing with the Kraken last March.
Kartye earned the AHL Rookie of the Year Award in his first professional season. In 72 games for the Krake affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Kartye tallied 28 goals and 29 assists, finishing the year plus-17.
"Undrafted, unheralded, he has done nothing but come to training camp, find out what he needs to work on, and put in the work on and off the ice," Coachella head coach Dan Bylsma told Bob Condor of NHL.com. "Tye is consistently working in practice on the details and habits of his game. The results are evident in his play."
It's hard to top Kartye's start to his NHL career, but after a solid showing in his debut under the big lights of the Stanley Cup playoffs, it's probably safe to say he's earned another shot should the Kraken need him.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!