Photo credit: Peaketography

By Regan Bartel

Myers close to games played milestone

‘I am not satisfied. The chase (for the Stanley Cup) still drives me’ – Tyler Myers

Aug 24, 2024 | 12:00 PM

You don’t have to spend much time with Tyler Myers to know something is missing. 

The 34-year-old has accomplished much over 16 seasons in the National Hockey League, including a Calder Trophy as rookie of the year with the Buffalo Sabres in 2009-2010, and is just five games shy of playing his one-thousandth NHL game. 

What’s missing? Putting his lips on the Stanley Cup, and sipping the sweet nectar from it after winning hockey’s holy grail. 

“Last year probably hurt more than any other year,” Myers told RocketFAN about playing on a Canucks team that was one win away from a birth in the conference finals. “We were up 3-2 against a team [Oilers] that went seven games for the Stanley Cup, so that is how close it is. You have to keep pushing. You have to find a way to be in better shape going into the next year, find a way to get that little extra edge, and come away on top.” 

Myers signed a new three-year deal with the Canucks on July 27th, paying him 9 million dollars, which is a far cry from the deal he struck with the team in 2019 when the 6’8 defender was paid $6 million dollars a season over five years.    

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“I was a fun year,” he said. “I am not satisfied, as the chase still drives me and playing is so much fun.” 

Myers collected 29 points last season in 77 games, logging just over 18 minutes per-game and ended with a +16 rating. 

“The way it went last year, how it should feel, I was very excited for the city and the fans to have good hockey back again. We have to realize it won’t be easier, and try to come out of the gate like we did last year.” 

This will be the former Kelowna Rockets seventh season with the Canucks, surpassing the six years he spent in Buffalo to start his NHL career. He would eventually be dealt to the Winnipeg Jets 47 games into the 2014-2015 campaign for among others, current Oiler Evander Kane and Minnesota Wild defender Zach Bogosian. 

“It is really our second home,” Myers said about living in Vancouver after spending the off-season with his family in Kelowna. “We are from the Okanagan, but being so close to where I play is not only great for me but my family. Being so close to home, having family around them to support them. We love it in Vancouver. It is an unbelievable hockey city.” 

Myers was never a big offensive driver in junior hockey in his three seasons (2006-2009) with the Kelowna Rockets. The same holds true in the NHL, where a career high 11 goals was scored in his first season of pro hockey.  

“I owe a lot to the new staff that came in,” he said about Rick Tocchet taking over the Canucks head coaching reins in January of 2023, replacing Bruce Boudreau. “I could feel my game getting back to where it needed to be. One thing that really stands out with the new staff is they are never satisfied with an individual, with the team, they are always talking to you and making sure you are doing things to try to make yourself better. I really appreciated that part of the coaching staff, and what management has done with the organization. I am excited to get back at it.” 

Myers workings closely with Canucks assistant Adam Foote. Foote coached the Kelowna Rockets for one and a half seasons before being relieved of his duties three months before the start of the 2020 Memorial Cup, which eventually cancelled during the pandemic.    

“Footer has been awesome,” Myers said without hesitation. “I am confident every d-man would say the same. He is awesome behind the bench. I find he is good in working the bench and knowing the different situations that are happening and making adjustments throughout the game. He is incredibly positive, which is the one thing that stands out more than anything. He keeps everyone in a positive frame of mind.” 

Playing his 1000th game on October 17th in Florida against the Stanley Cup champion Panthers will come soon enough. It is a personal achievement he is looking forward to celebrating, becoming only the sixth Rockets alumnus to reach the milestone. 

“It will feel good,” he said about following on the footsteps of ex-Rockets Scott Hannan, Duncan Keith, Shea Weber, Jamie Benn and Alex Edler. “For any player, that is pretty special. My wife and I were talking about it the other day about trying to get some family in for it. I am excited to hit it. It is part of the journey to try to reach that ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.”    

With his junior team bidding to host the 2026 Memorial Cup, attempting to thwart off bids from the Spokane Chiefs, Medicine Hat Tigers, Lethbridge Hurricanes and Brandon Wheat Kings, Myers says the best place to host the 10-day tournament is obvious. 

“It [Kelowna] is the best place,” he said with a chuckle. “It seems every year we are getting a new player who come to skate in Kelowna and end up not leaving. It is an unbelievable venue and a city to have it especially at that time of the year. 

“It is tough to beat Kelowna in the spring and the summer. I don’t think any other city could stack up against it.”