Tanner Kero

Tanner James Kero (born July 24, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Kölner Haie of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

Playing career

Amateur Prior to his collegiate hockey career, Kero played for the Marquette Rangers in the NAHL where he led the league in goals (with 32) and was named the league's "Rookie of the Year". He also played for the Fargo Force in the USHL where he posted 13 goals, 24 assists and 37 points in 55 games and earned a spot on the USHL Western Conference All-Star Team. and being named to the 2014–15 NCAA (West) First All-American Team.

Professional On April 2, 2015, the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) signed Kero to a two-year entry-level contract. He began the 2015–16 season assigned to AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. On October 27, 2015, the Blackhawks recalled him to the NHL. He made his NHL debut on October 29, 2015, in a 3–1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Just 4 games later, he scored his first NHL goal on November 6, shooting past Cory Schneider, in a 4–2 loss against the New Jersey Devils. On March 23, 2017, the Blackhawks signed Kero to a two-year contract extension.

On June 24, 2018, Kero was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Michael Chaput.

On July 1, 2019, having left the Canucks as a free agent, Kero was signed to a two-year, two-way contract with the Dallas Stars on July 1, 2019.

Following four seasons within the Stars organization, Kero as a free agent was signed to a one-year AHL contract for the 2023–24 season with the Colorado Eagles, affiliate to the Colorado Avalanche, on July 18, 2023.

Upon completion of his contract with the Eagles, Kero left North America after 10 professional seasons and signed his first contract abroad in agreeing to a one-year deal with Swedish club, HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), on July 5, 2024. In his lone season in Jönköping in 2024–25, Kero featured in every game in a top nine forward role posting 9 goals and 13 assists for 22 points. Helping the club avoid relegation to the Allsvenskan in a play-out series, Kero left HV71 at the conclusion of the season.

Personal life Kero was born in Hancock, Michigan and is the son of Dale and Joan Kero. He has five sisters (one of them, Jordanna played for the Michigan Tech volleyball team) and four brothers; Devin and Hunter play hockey as well. While attending Michigan Tech, Kero had a grade point average of 3.68 in mathematics. WCHA Scoring Champion (46 points) 2014–15 WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year 2014–15 All-WCHA First Team 2014–15 WCHA Player of the Year 2014–15 Hobey Baker Award Finalist 2014–15