Tyler Wright

Tyler Wright (born April 6, 1973) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played in 613 NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. His most recent job in the NHL was as director of Player Personnel /director of amateur scouting for the Edmonton Oilers. Wright and the Oilers announced they agreed to mutually part ways on August 23, 2023.

Wright was born in Canora, Saskatchewan, but grew up in Kamsack, Saskatchewan.

Playing career Wright was drafted 12th overall in the 1991 NHL entry draft by the Edmonton Oilers. As a junior with the Swift Current Broncos in 1989-90 he scored 32 points as a rookie. In 1990-91, he improved his offensive production, scoring 41 goals and 92 points in 66 games. In the 1991-92 season, he netted 36 goals and 82 points in 63 games.

After being drafted by the Oilers, Wright played parts of two seasons in Edmonton (1992–93 and 1993–94) but ultimately spent most of his time with their AHL team, Cape Breton Oilers.

On June 22, 1996, Wright was acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 7th-round draft pick (Brandon Lafrance) and subsequently played 45 games with the Penguins during the 1996-97 season, registering 2 goals and 2 assists. In 1997-98, he joined the NHL ranks full-time and played all 82 games for the Penguins. He helped his team win the Northeast Division title and then made his playoff debut.

In 1998-99, he played 61 regular-season games for the Penguins going scoreless, giving him the NHL record for most games played in a single season without registering a point (since tied by Raitis Ivanans). The following year he dressed for 50 games and scored 12 goals and 22 points. In the 1999 playoffs, he scored four points in eleven games as the Penguins reached the second round. On April 21, he scored his first career playoff goal against the Washington Capitals.

On June 23, 2000, Wright was selected in the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft by the newly formed Columbus Blue Jackets. In his first season with his new team, he scored 16 goals and 32 points and developed into an on ice leader for the Blue Jackets. Since 1987–88, there have been 94 hat tricks scored by a goal (i) at even strength, (ii) on the power play, and (iii) on the penalty kill, by a total of 75 different players. Wright scored two of these 94 hat tricks, with the first coming on March 16, 2001, against the Atlanta Thrashers and his second coming on October 27, 2002, against the Los Angeles Kings.

During the NHL lockout, Wright played with Swiss team EHC Biel in the second Swiss division.

After four seasons in Columbus, Wright was dealt to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on November 15, 2005, in a deal that saw Sergei Fedorov join the Blue Jackets. The final year of his contract was bought out by Anaheim in June 2006.

International play

On the international stage, Wright represented Canada at the 1992 and 1993 World Junior Championships. At the 1993 tournament, he was an alternate captain and helped Canada win the gold medal and was a member of Canada's World Championship team in 2002.

Post-retirement In July 2007, Wright rejoined the Columbus Blue Jackets organization in a front office position when he was named a development coach for the club. His duties included working with prospects and young players throughout the organization, and assisting with the development of prospects within the professional minor leagues, various major junior leagues, and college level.

On July 1, 2013, Wright resigned from the Blue Jackets. On July 10, 2013, he was named the director of amateur scouting for the Detroit Red Wings. On July 11, 2019, it was announced that Wright would depart the Detroit Red Wings and join new GM Ken Holland in Edmonton. The two previously worked together for the last six seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. On August 22, 2023 it was announced the Tyler Wright and the Edmonton Oilers had parted ways.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1989–90 Swift Current Broncos WHL 67141832119 400012 1990–91 Swift Current Broncos WHL 66415192157 30006 1991–92 Swift Current Broncos WHL 63364682295 825716 1992–93 Swift Current Broncos WHL 3724416576 179172649 1992–93 Edmonton Oilers NHL 711219 ————— 1993–94 Cape Breton Oilers AHL 65142741160 520211 1993–94 Edmonton Oilers NHL 50004 ————— 1994–95 Cape Breton Oilers AHL 70161531184 ————— 1994–95 Edmonton Oilers NHL 610114 ————— 1995–96 Cape Breton Oilers AHL 3161218158 ————— 1995–96 Edmonton Oilers NHL 2310133 ————— 1996–97 Cleveland Lumberjacks IHL 1043734 1442644 1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 4522470 ————— 1997–98 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 82347112 60114 1998–99 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 6100090 1300019 1999–00 Wilkes–Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 255152086 ————— 1999–00 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 5012102245 1131417 2000–01 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 76161632140 ————— 2001–02 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 77131124100 ————— 2002–03 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 70191130113 ————— 2003–04 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 68991863 —————2004–05 EHC Biel NLB 73474 12881644 2005–06 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 1804420 ————— 2005–06 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim NHL 2522431 ————— 2006–07 EHC Basel NLA 40004 ————— NHL totals 6137970149854 4163957

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 1992 Canada WJC 6th 710116 1993 Canada WJC 73366 2002 Canada WC 6th 702233 Junior totals 14 4 3 7 22 Senior totals 7 0 2 2 33