SAN DIEGO, Calif. – On Wednesday, the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League (AHL) announced the signing of senior captain Tyler Morley, following the completion of his college eligibility with the Alaska Nanooks hockey team. T. Morley has signed an amateur tryout (ATO) agreement with the Gulls, who are the AHL affiliate for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL).
"It's an extremely exciting time in my hockey career, to be able to play at such a high level of hockey and doing what I love to do, things couldn't be better," T. Morley said of signing with the Gulls.
After falling in the opening round of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) playoffs to Michigan Tech, T. Morley concludes his college career playing in 129 games for the Nanooks, collecting 60 goals and 60 assists for 122 points. The centerman becomes one of the most decorated players in Nanook hockey history, being named a two-time All-WCHA First Team selection (2015-16, 2014-15), two-time Hobey Baker Award Candidate (2016, 2015), Co-WCHA Preseason Player of the Year (2015-16), three-time Brice Alaska Goal Rush All-Tournament Team selection (2015, 2014, 2012), All-WCHA Third team selection (2013), 2014-15 Alaska Nanooks Hockey's Most Valuable Player and a Central Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie Team honoree (2012-13).
"Tyler has been a great college hockey player and has represented the Nanook Hockey program with such great pride," head coach Dallas Ferguson said following T. Morley's signing. "We are very excited that Tyler is going to continue on the path of achieving his ultimate goal of playing in the NHL."
In the 2015-16 season alone, T. Morley played in 29 games collecting 18 goals and 12 assists for 30 points. In conference play, T. Morley recorded 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 21 games. The senior led the WCHA in goals per games played (0.59), shots on goal per games played (3.85) and points per games played (1.04). Additionally, T. Morley collected eight multi-point games, three, three-point games and a career-high four point game on Jan. 2 against Bemidji (two goals, two assists). Furthermore, T. Morley led the Nanooks in 13 different scoring categories and became the 33rd Nanook to join the Alaska Nanook 100-point club. T. Morley will go down being ranked 17th on the Alaska Nanook All-Time Scoring Leader list, tying Wade Klippenstein with 122 points.
"The past four years at Alaska have been an amazing learning experience," T. Morley said of his time with the Nooks. "Not only has the staff at UAF prepared me on and off the ice, but also as a professional. It is exciting to take those learning experiences with me to the next level of my career and try to make a positive impact with my new teammates, coaches and staff here in San Diego."
Off the ice, T. Morley was named a three-time WCHA All-Academic Team member (2015-16, 2014-15, 2013-14) and despite moving to San Diego, is still planning to graduate in May of 2016 with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance.
The San Diego Gulls (33-21-2 overall) currently sit in second place in the Pacific Conference and have already clinched a playoff spot. With 10 games remaining in their regular season schedule, the next game for the Gulls is slated for Saturday, Mar. 25 in San Jose.
"The American Hockey League is a great league and is a breeding ground for future NHLers. San Diego has done a great job developing their players for the Anaheim Ducks this season. Joining San Diego is going to be a good experience for Tyler. He will have a chance to see how they do things there and it will also give him an idea of what will be expected of him next season," Ferguson concluded.
For the San Diego Gulls release on T. Morley, click here. For more information on the San Diego Gulls, click here.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks hockey team, follow @NanooksHockey on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Hockey page on Facebook.
