Tyler Kelleher to Play Professional AHL Hockey

Longmeadow, MA native Tyler Kelleher after a great college career at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) has signed a professional contract with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League. The Admirals are affiliated with the NHL Nashville Predators Hockey Team. Kelleher had a sensational senior year at UNH with 63 points in 40 games, including 24 goals and 39 assists, with a +7 rating. All of this in the very tough Hockey East Conference. This ties him with Zach Aston-Reese from Northeastern as the Division I college hockey scoring leader in the nation. That is pretty amazing. Tyler is a candidate for the Hobey Baker Award as the best college hockey player in the country.

#16 Tyler Kelleher UNH

Finds the Open Spot

Game vs. UMass Amherst

Photo by Alfredo

Tyler is 5' 6" , 165 lbs. Some say that his size, speed, and defense may be limitations on his ability to play pro hockey. I BUY NONE OF THAT. I have seen him play many times. Tyler is as tough as they come and he backs down from no one. His grandfather was a professional boxer. In fighting for the puck against the boards or in front of the net he has some of the fastest and most aggressive repetitive stick action that I have ever seen and he frequently will win out. He has very good speed and skates with a skip in his step. In addition to basic speed he has the ever important quickness. As far as scoring he has the knack, knowledge, and the ability to find the open spot on offense and be in the ready position to make something happen. As simple as that sounds, few hockey players have this ability to the extent that Tyler has.

As far as defense his +7 season rating for UNH tells us that his defense is pretty darn good. One other factor concerning Tyler, when he hits the ice, at whatever level, at any venue, he goes 100%. This includes practice sessions, summer league games, and his games at UNH. One speed, full out. That is a sign of a very good hockey player...it comes from within, it is inside the person. (I call it "fire in the belly".)  

Certainly with ANY hockey player there is room for improvement and I am sure that he will do this as he enters his professional hockey career.

Tyler is already on the roster of the Milwaukee Admirals and will be wearing his number, #16.  I firmly believe that Tyler has the ability to play in the NHL. The best of luck to him, let's wait and see what happens.

Alfredo DiLascia

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