Kartye has been an opponent killer
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media) | Photo by Bob Davies
There’s little doubt Tye Kartye wants to play in the NHL one day.
All you have to do is watch how hard he works.
“Everyone plays to get to the next level,” said the Soo Greyhounds star winger and one of the Ontario Hockey League’s go-to scorers.
The best way to do that, said the six-foot-one, 200-pounder, is to help the Hounds gain team success.
“Especially with this being my last year, it’s all about winning for me and trying to make a run here,” said the talented overage. “If we’re a really-good team, our guys are doing something right.”
And attention from pro scouts, Kartye agreed, will follow.
With 18 goals in 20 games, Kartye is tied for second in the league in goal production heading into Thursday’s Ontario Hockey League action. London’s Luke Evangelista leads the way with 20 tallies.
After Wednesday’s game against Sudbury was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak on the Wolves, the Soo is preparing to face Guelph (7:07 p.m.) on Friday at GFL Memorial Gardens.
As far as power-play scoring is concerned, Kartye leads the 20-team loop by a wide margin. His 12 goals with the man advantage are five more than any other player has scored.
The Hounds team record for most power-play goals in a season is 31, a number recorded by John Tavella during the 1975-1976 campaign. Sault native Brian Gualazzi fired home 29 during the 1978-79 season.
The bumper spot on the 1-3-1 power play was seemingly designed with a player like Kartye, who also leads the Soo with four game-winning markers, in mind. Manning the middle spot on the second level, a player must possess a high hockey IQ.
“I’m just trying to learn how to play it, to help the other guys and support them,” said a modest Kartye, who has thrived in that role. “You’re trying to support every guy on the ice. If there’s trouble in the corner, you support there. I’m an outlet for the other guys in order for us to maintain possession.”
He’s also been a dangerous weapon, taking quick passes in front or at the side of the goal and one-timing them home.
“I’m just trying to get into the right spots on the ice and make the most of my opportunities,” Kartye added. “The other guys on the power play are obviously very, very skilled. It’s great to play with those guys.”
Taken by the Soo in the eighth round (No. 158 overall) of the 2017 Priority Selections draft, Kartye was mainly stationed at centre, finishing with a 4-20-24 stat line, over the course of the 2018-2019 season.
He upped his production to 25-28-53 during the 2019-2020 campaign, earning both the trust and confidence of his coaches.
What if someone told him before this season began he’d have 18 tallies in 20 games?
“I’d take that 10 days out of 10,” said Kartye, whose club takes a 12-9-0-0 record into Friday’s clash with the 13-6-1-1 Storm. “I’d honestly be amazed and surprised.”
With 10 assists, Kartye’s 28 points are second behind Rory Kerins (11-21-32) in team stats and tied for 10th overall in the OHL.
He’s also won just 67 per cent of the 119 face-offs he’s taken.
“It obviously feels nice,” Kartye said of his statistical success. “But the main goal for me is to contribute to the team and help the team win.”
“He’s been a consummate leader for us,” said Hounds head coach John Dean. “He knows exactly who he is, he plays the right way and he’s everything we want a Soo Greyhound to be.”
One of the many things Dean likes about Kartye is the player’s ability to “make skill plays. But he’s also very capable of playing big, playing strong and getting to the dirty areas.”
The Hounds, to none one’s surprise, lean heavily on the overage, the coach acknowledged.
“And if he’s not contributing offensively, he finds other ways to contribute.”
Kerins has played a good part of the season alongside Kartye and calls the Kingston, Ont., native the “most-liked teammate on our team.”
Kartye is also “an extremely-hard worker who sets an example of how hard you have to work to be successful in this league,” Kerins added.
The ability to shoot the puck is also among his buddy’s strength’s, Kerins noted.
“Whether it’s on the power play or five-on-five, he’s a threat to score all over the ice.”
Kartye said he believes the Hounds are better than their record would indicate. He expects the club to improve as the season moves forward.
“The most important thing is to learn from our mistakes and make sure they don’t happen again,” he said.
Following Friday’s game, the Hounds are slated to play host to Saginaw (2:07 p.m.) on Sunday.
