Forward Tye Felhaber, who played with three different ECHL teams, made his long-awaited NHL debut Monday night.
Most hockey players have the goal of making their National Hockey League debut. Many never see that dream realized, but others do.
Monday night, Tye Felhaber finally saw his dream come true. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound forward who played for three different ECHL teams made his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche in Vancouver against the Canucks.
Felhaber became the 755th ECHL player to reach the NHL and the third this season. In 71 career games between the Idaho Steelheads (2018-19), Orlando Solar Bears (2021-22) and Fort Wayne Komets (2022-23), Felhaber recorded 83 points (26-57-83).
The Pembrooke, Ont. native also represented the Komets in the 2023 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic in Norfolk, making him the 74th player from the ECHL All-Star Game to advance to the NHL and the 58th since 2002. He won the Accuracy Shooting contest that year during the skills competition, hitting all four targets in 6.5 seconds.
Felhaber has also registered 67 points (33-34-67) in 187 career American Hockey League games with the Colorado Eagles, Milwaukee, Texas, Syracuse and laval.
This season, he had 13 points (8-5-13) in 13 games for the Eagles before signing a two-year NHL contract with the Avalanche Dec. 15. He led the Eagles in goals, was tied for fifth in points and ranks fifth on the team with 47 shots on goal.
In the Avs’ 3-1 loss to the Canucks Monday night, Felhaber skated seven shifts, recording a hit.
Felhaber began playing hockey as early as age two. Now 26, he finally accomplished what so many dream about. Whether he plays just that one game or hundreds, Monday’s debut in front of family and friends is a night he’ll never forget.