Player Profile: T.J. Tynan

T.J. Tynan is a center who started his junior career (USHL) with the Des Moines Buccaneers during the 2009-2010 hockey season. He played in 60 games with the Buccaneers and scored 17 goals and added 55 assists.

Tynan would move on to the University of Notre Dame where he would play collegiate hockey for the Fighting Irish. In his first season with the Fighting Irish, Tynan had an immediate impact, scoring 23 goals and registering 31 assists in 44 games. He was named CCHA Rookie of the Year, NCAA Rookie of the Year, and was named to the All-CCHA Rookie Team and All-CCHA Second Team.

In the 2011 NHL Draft, Tynan was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the 66th overall pick and continued playing hockey at Notre Dame. Tynan wouldn’t be able to pass his rookie season point total in his sophomore season, but he still managed to have a good one. He recorded 13 goals and 28 assists in 39 games. He was named to the All-CCHA First Team that year.

In his junior year, Tynan’s point production fell as he only registered 10 goals and 18 assists. In his final season with Notre Dame, Tynan tallied 8 goals and 30 assists in 40 games and played three games for the Springfield Falcons of the AHL where he recorded no points.

After that season, Tynan would become a regular roster player for the Blue Jacket’s AHL affiliate. Here is a look at his career since and what he brings to the table for the Blue Jackets.

Regular Season and Playoffs:

The 2014-2015 AHL season would be Tynan’s first full season in the AHL with the Springfield Falcons. He would record 13 goals and 35 assists in 75 games, but the Falcons missed the playoffs.

In the following season, the Blue Jackets changed their AHL affiliate to the Lake Erie Monsters. During that season, Tynan tallied 6 goals and 40 assists in 76 games.

The team qualified for the playoffs and would impress hockey fans by sweeping the Rockford IceHogs, defeating the Grand Rapids in six games, and finally by sweeping the Ontario Reign in four games in the Western Conference Finals. In the Calder Cup Finals, Tynan and the Monsters would sweep the Hershey Bears and capture the Calder Cup.

In the playoffs, Tynan registered a goal and five assists in 17 games. In the 2016-2017 season, the Blue Jackets changed their AHL affiliate name once more to the Cleveland Monsters.

Tynan spent the season with the Monsters where he recorded 12 goals and 29 assists in 72 games. He was also called up to the Columbus Blue Jackets where he briefly made his NHL debut in March against the New Jersey Devils. He recorded no points.

At the end of the season, he became a free agent and signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Internationally:

Tynan represented the United States on one occasion in his career. In the 2012 World Junior Championships, Tynan scored a goal and recorded three assists in six games. The team finished seventh in the tournament.

What’s next for T.J. Tynan?

Tynan is now a member of the newest team in the NHL. He will likely be a first line center for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. He put up three consecutive 40 point seasons in the AHL and seems to have a knack for recording assists.

As he grows, he can definitely help a goal scorer around him with his playmaking skills.

In the future, he could end up playing as a third or fourth line center for the Golden Knights, and even next year is not out of the question since they have some players whose contracts will expire. If Tynan’s success continues, he could have a call up to the NHL sooner rather than later.

Featured Image via Pinterest.com

Junior at Hofstra University majoring in Broadcast Journalism, minoring in Public Affairs and Radio/Television/Film. Research, write and report sporting news on air for WRHU Radio. Edit highlights and engineer Hofstra sports and New York Islander broadcasts. My favorite sports include hockey, football, baseball, soccer and golf. I currently play hockey and golf for fun.

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