In Game 5 of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche, Tye Kartye stepped onto the ice for his first NHL game, regular season or playoffs. The 21-year-old rookie was called upon to replace Jared McCann, who suffered an injury after a hit from Cale Makar, which resulted in Makar’s suspension.
Kartye, an undrafted free agent, initially signed to the AHL and made quite an impression this season. With 28 goals and 29 assists, he totaled 57 points in 72 games, earning him the AHL Rookie of the Year award. Now, Kartye has brought his skills to the NHL stage, and his performance in Game 5 did not disappoint.
In his debut, Kartye scored his first NHL goal, giving the Kraken a 2-1 lead in Game 5. The team went on to win the match, securing a 3-2 series lead against the Avalanche. As the Kraken return to Seattle for the next game, they will be looking to close out the series with the help of their newest addition.
☑️ 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
Kartye’s remarkable NHL debut has undoubtedly caught the attention of hockey fan. With his seamless transition from the AHL to the NHL, Tye Kartye stepped right into an intense playoff game and managed to make a significant impact. He played 8:41 of the game, having 1 shot, 1 goal, and 3 hits with a +1 rating.