Jarret Tyszka
2016-17 Team: Seattle Thunderbirds (#5)
Date of Birth: March 15, 1999
Place of Birth: Langley, British Columbia
Ht.: 6’3” Wt.: 192 lbs
Shoots: L
Position: D
NHL Draft Eligibility: Prospect is eligible for 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Twitter: @JarretTyszka_11
Rankings
- NHL Central Scouting: 33 (NA Skaters, Midterm)
- NHL Central Scouting: 41 (NA Skaters, Final)
- Bob McKenzie: 69 (Mid-season)
- Craig Button: Unranked (March)
- Jeff Marek: Unranked (October)
- ISS: Unranked (May)
Displaying a rare blend of size and mobility, Jarret Tyszka combines average skating ability and high hockey IQ to efficiently take away time and space from opponents. A responsible defender, he has shown a maturity to his approach. If a forward does manage to elude him, Tyszka puts his head down and races back to make a play. He doesn’t quit after making an error.
Instinctive, Tyszka knows when to pinch and when to remain back. In 54 games with the 2016-17 Thunderbirds, Tyszka collected six goals among 25 points and a plus-5 rating in 54 regular season games. In 20 postseason games, entering the Memorial Cup, he registered two goals and seven points.
Want to hear @ThomBeuning call the @TheTrueAlex97 Game 6 OT winner to win the WHL Championship? Yeah you do! https://t.co/KsuS8LoVao
— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) May 15, 2017
At 6’3, 192 pounds, Tyszka is tough to move out of position when battling in front of the net. By adding strength over the next few years, however, he will likely become a forceful checker. Scouts rave over Tyszka’s on-ice vision and his anticipation in allowing plays develop.
He has the ability to place crisp outlet passes on-tape to teammates streaking into the neutral zone. He often played the point on the Thunderbirds’ power play last season and created scoring opportunities off effective wrist shots toward crowded crease areas.
NHL Draft Projection
Projected to be a classic stand-up defenseman, Jarret Tyszka doesn’t show a lot of razzle dazzle when he’s on the ice. What he does show is an ability to make all the basic plays. He commands the ice with poise and confidence and is projected as a second- to third-round draft selection during the upcoming 2017 NHL Draft.
Quotables
“That is a pretty good feat for him to get defenseman of the (2014 Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey) tournament. This was a great accomplishment for him. With so many defensemen to choose from, I am just thrilled he got it. He had a great weekend, so it was well deserved.” – Langley bantam A1 coach Danny Franco
“Jarret has the potential to be a top player in our league and, with his skills and skating, can contribute offensively and has the size to play solid defense.” – Russ Farwell, Seattle Thunderbirds general manager
Statistics:
Strengths
- Hockey IQ
- Long Stride
- Transition Game
Under Construction (Improvements to Make)
- Too Conservative
- Add Bulk
NHL Potential
As a rookie on the 2015-16 Thunderbirds, Tyszka earned a place among the Western Conference champions’ top three pairings. He is a steady performer who consistently takes care of his own end. NHL scouts project Tyszka to develop into a second-tier defenseman once he gains additional muscle.
Risk-Reward Analysis
Risk – 2/5, Reward 4/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Offense – 5/10, Defense – 8/10
Awards/Achievements
On Sunday, Tyszka helped lead the Thunderbirds to a 4-3 victory over the Regina Pats, capturing the Western Hockey League Championship in six games. Tyszka was named to the roster of last January’s Canadian Hockey League’s Top Prospects Game. He was a 2015 graduate of the prestigious Yale Hockey Academy. He was also selected to the 2014 Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament’s First Team All-Star and captured the event’s award for top defenseman.