Undrafted rookie center Tyler Drevitch(38) has found it a bit difficult sticking with a team through the tough to play 2020/2021 but has circled back to re-sign with his original club, Wheeling Nailers.
He was released after 25 ECHL games scoring 3 goals and 2 assists, signing with Wichita Thunder for a single effort, but getting let go again.
The former, 4-year Merrimack College Warriors senior captain hasn’t exactly lit up the proceedings on the scoresheet, but through a few instances struck decent or big, almost perfectly in each other session after a huge affair as a 16-year old in the EmJHL with Boston Bandits (16-51-67 in 34 games).
He played a couple of years of USHL with little effect, but really broke out, when he switched it up to the NAHL with Lone Star Brahmas.
The 25-year old is the son of long-time minor league skater, Scott Drevitch, so easily has seen dad fully survive 17 years playing only 104 AHL games and 858 contests in lower rungs on the hockey ladder, so knows there’s work ahead of him.
For 2022/2023, he will spend a 3rd season in West Virginia and continue to work on his game, but did come away with slight career highs last season.
He will take some more super-charged numbers, scoring 18 goals and 15 assists in 72 games to a new deal with Maine Mariners for 2023/2024 that should help keep those numbers up.
He continues his productivity with a new best 18 assists and +11 rating in 70 games last season, but finds himself on the trade block, heading to Atlanta Gladiators for 2024/2025, where he will continue to increase his game.
We did one of our awesome new feature Twitter interviews with Tyler:
cHp: I noticed you signed with Wheeling Nailers in September last year but were either released or traded to Wichita Thunder, but only played a single game against your former team and were released. I noticed that you have re-upped with Wheeling for 2021/2022. I guess I just want to confirm the truth of that information.
TD: Yeah so I got released and picked up by Wichita and then played one game before being released again. And then few weeks back re-signed with Wheeling and I’m currently back with them right now. We have 9 games left. I’ve played 2 since being back.
cHp: You started your youth hockey in the EHL and looked to play at least one year in the league. Isn’t that a pay to play league, and were any fees waived for you because your dad coached there and it was just a good place for you to develop close to home?
I saw after what looked like a breakout season for you 13/14, you were drafted by Des Moines and went there, but it also looks like you committed to attend Merrimack College around that time too. Which came first?
It also looks like you were drafted earlier as well and even were chosen to go up to the QMJHL. Did you eventually turn both those down to stay closer to home. Was your dad your coach then? Looks like you played for a few teams in the USHL but had your best success when you switched it up to sign with Lone Star Brahmas of the NAHL. Why the switch? This was the year before you were to attend Merrimack.
TD: So I was drafted my Sioux City first but decided to stay home and play for the bandits. That was my senior year of high school. During that year I committed to Merrimack and then later was drafted to Des Moines. When I was drafted in the QMHJL, I knew I wanted to play college so I never really considered it much. My dad was not my coach. I played for Todd Stirling, who I give a lot of credit for helping me develop into a great player. I still work with Todd to this day in the off-seasons working on skills and skating. I played for a few teams in the usual which was a great lesson for me to learn to play up and down the lineup. I learned valuable lessons that year and half that has helped me deal with the everyday life of a hockey player. I went to Lone Star because I was released late into my age out year. Lonestar gave me a great opportunity to grow my game, on both sides of the puck. We had a great group down there with tons of great players. The coach there was Dan Wildfong, who I loved playing for. Type of coach who really pushed me and helped me elevate my game. Following that season I entered Merrimack, where I loved it there. Made tons of great memories and relationships, as well as prepare me for the pro game. Bottom line, you asked if my dad was my coach . Yes I played for him for my first two years of junior hockey and several times in youth hockey. But he has been my personal coach throughout all the years I’ve played since too. Not just on hockey but life. Has taught me how to be the man I am today. He’s spent several hours watching film with me, talking hockey with me, and always is there lending a helping hand to improve my game. I can’t thank him enough for being there for me throughout the ups and downs I’ve been through. Recently, he’s helped guide me through what it is to be a pro and how to grow up into an adult. Obviously, my mother and sisters has been there for me all these years supporting me and being there as an outlet to help me in hockey and life. Last, my brother. Without going too long, he’s pushed me, motivated me, and made hockey so fun since I can remember. Having a brother pursue the same dreams and goals as me is like having a co-pilot on a long road trip. Im lucky to have such an amazing hockey family beside me through this wild ride. I love the game and I can’t wait for what the future holds for me.
cHp: how did it come up for you to sign back on with Wheeling for the rest of this season considering they are not heading to any playoffs?
TD: I decided to sign back with Wheeling when they called and asked me to come back to finish the season. The staff and organization are first class. As well as my teammates are a great group of guys. Not a hard decision for me to return back to a familiar place and play some hockey.
cHp: Too cool all around. I saw your brother with you last year and got to see him play against Northeastern and photographed a couple of times this past season. Nice to hear you have a great relationship that pushes one another. Love the Wheeling story. Seems like a good place. No one knows the minor leagues like your dad. That was basically just when I started to see a whole lot of hockey and have been able to continue but switched my focus to college hockey play in 19/20 and love it. I’ll still go see the occasional AHL and ECHL games, so maybe we’ll get to meet in the tunnel at Worcester sometime. Thanks for the Twitter interview!
TD: Of course! Thank you
