Red Wings sign another native Michigander

While reaction to the underwhelming first day of the NHL free agency period by the Detroit Red Wings continues to come in, GM Steve Yzerman has inked another native Michigander to the roster.

Arriving in town is forward Tyler Motte, a native of St. Claire and a veteran of 400 NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning. The deal is for one season and carries an AAV of $800K. 

He becomes the latest NHL player to return to his home state after being lured by Yzerman, who has already signed Andrew Copp, J.T. Compher, Sheldon Dries, Alex DeBrincat, Jeff Petry, and Jack Campbell. And of course, he made sure to sign Waterford's own Dylan Larkin to a lengthy contract extension. 

After playing as a youth with the Detroit Honeybaked U16 team, Motte spent time with the USA Hockey National Development Team Program in Ann Arbor before playing collegiately with the Michigan Wolverines. He would soon be drafted 121st overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2012 NHL Draft. 

He was included in the blockbuster trade to the Columbus Blue Jackets along with Artemi Panarin in 2017. Eventually, he'd be traded to the Vancouver Canucks for a former (and later, future) Red Wing in Thomas Vanek in 2018.

Known as a defensive-minded forward who aids in penalty killing, Motte has scored 49 goals with 41 assists during the regular season, while adding a goal in five career postseason games.

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