Motte looking to step it up for Chicago Blackhawks

Thirty-two goals in 38 games.

That's what Tyler Motte accomplished at the University of Michigan last season as a junior.

Not too shabby, huh?

That total was good for second overall in the country and followed back-to-back, 9-goal campaigns by a player the Chicago Blackhawks selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft. Motte, who stands 5-feet-9 and weighs 193 pounds, decided to turn pro in April and is among a half-dozen talented youngsters competing for a roster spot next season.

"I think he's going to be a nice player," said coach Ted Dent, who saw Motte score 4 goals in eight games for his Rockford IceHogs in the spring. "He's got real good speed; he plays bigger on the ice than his stature would dictate when you look at him off the ice."

Motte is participating in Prospects Camp at Johnny's Icehouse this week. We talked with the St. Clair, Michigan, native on a variety of subjects, including how he got started playing hockey.

Q: Who was your biggest hockey influence?

A: Actually my brother. Both of my parents were collegiate athletes (at Adrian College in Michigan), but neither played hockey growing up. My brother wanted to get involved early, and like any younger brother, I just wanted to follow in his footsteps and be like him.

Q: What sticks out about playing with him as a kid?

A: Our basement was unfinished - just this cement floor - so we painted on the hockey lines. The goal line, blue line, red line. So we had a small little rink down there. We'd play roller hockey. When we were younger we'd strap up the pads, I'd shoot tennis balls or pucks at him. … Probably got a little too competitive for my parents sometimes, but just those times with friends having fun with the game are the things that stick out the most.

Q: How old were you when you started doing that?

A: Probably 5 or 6. We still continue to do it today. We get home, push the pingpong table out of the way and shoot the puck more often than I shoot on him. …

(The basement is) still unfinished; I think they're kind of waiting until we fully move out. They probably got annoyed at pucks banging off the ceilings, but they probably enjoy hearing the noise down there now knowing we're home.

Q: Talk about your decision to leave Michigan.

A: I thought now was the time after coming off a good year to take that next jump, embrace the next challenge. Obviously the opportunity (on the Hawks) is no secret to anybody. There's going to be guys that get opportunities in the near future. That definitely factored in quite a bit.

Q: Do you feel ready after your 32-goal college season and a few games with Rockford?

A: Yeah, I think so. I'm ready for the challenge. The job is to come in and compete and make sure we're peaking at the right time.

Q: Would it be a disappointment if you didn't make the NHL roster?

A: No, I'll take what I can get. Any way I can help this organization from the start I'm happy to do it, whether it's in Rockford or up top. … You have to take every opportunity and do the best you can with it.

Q: Do you have a player on past Hawks rosters you model your game after?

A: No, I think everyone wants to draw their own figure of who people perceive them as. I just try to play a quality 200-foot game; compete in the D-zone, block shots, do the little things and then produce offensively when the opportunity comes.

Q: What clicked so well last year?

A: We had great chemistry from the start. We're all knowledgeable players. We all play the game differently - a lot of skill from (Kyle) Connor, a lot of compete from (JT) Compher up the middle. Just try to give those guys space and make plays for them. We just happened to click. We didn't ask too many questions when things were going well. We just tried to keep playing and things worked out pretty well for us.

Q: Of your 32 goals last season, which one sticks out the most?

A: The one in the regionals against Notre Dame. Overtime winner. Another great play by my linemates. On a zone entry, JT (Compher) made a behind-the-back pass to the backdoor and I really couldn't miss.

Just one of those moments where everything seemed to go right on one play, get one right bounce and it's in the back of the net. To contribute on that play and keep our season alive definitely was the most memorable.