Tye Felhaber lands contract with Avalanche after scoring Teddy Bear goal
by Adam Gross
Dec 16, 2024
While helping to change the lives of children, Tye Felhaber changed his own.
Despite Grand Rapids defeating the Eagles 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday, 10,000 stuffed animals marked a positive on the night for Felhaber. At 12:29 in the first period, he knocked in a gritty rebound for the first goal of the game, which sent stuffed animals flying on the ice thrown by fans. They would later be donated to disadvantaged children across the area. “That’s obviously a special night, and it’s all about giving back to the community and it’s for a good cause,” Felhaber said. “Just having our fans support, they’re very involved with bringing the teddy bears, it’s very special to get the goal.”
“It’s probably the only goal you get to celebrate for 10-15 minutes.”
Every year the Eagles host the Teddy Bear Toss. However, it’s the first time Felhaber got to score the first goal of the game in the Eagles’ tradition.
In his first season with the Eagles, Felhaber is the team’s leading goal scorer. Before that, he played five AHL seasons spanning Milwaukee, Texas, and Laval. Last season with the Admirals, he scored an AHL career-high 10 goals. This year, he already has eight.
The biggest difference driving Felhaber’s success while playing with the Eagles is the team that surrounds him. “I think it’s just that trust from the coaching staff just giving me the opportunity and the guys in the room,” Felhaber said. “I’ve always been lucky to have great teammates and the guys in this room especially are amazing just letting me be who I am.”
Head coach Aaron Schneekloth recognizes Felhaber as a glue guy in the locker room. He is gritty, plays with heart and does everything right. Players of all ages on the roster gravitate to him because of his character.
Although Felhaber is still new to the Colorado hockey scene, Schneekloth said he has the potential to become a fan favorite. “When you step on the ice here and play with the heart, passion and grit, it draws people in,” Schneekloth said. “Seeing him in the past with other players at this level and previous leagues - he’s checking all the boxes.”
Following the loss to the Griffins, Schneekloth said Felhaber has the power to control his destiny and where his hockey career goes.
On Sunday, Felhaber earned his first call to the NHL.
The Colorado Avalanche signed a two-year contract with Felhaber for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. Eagles captain Jayson Megna displayed pride for his linemate.
“He’s been a guy that comes to work every day, it’s been awesome to see,” Megna said. “His growth throughout the year, he’s played some really big roles for us, so super happy to see him getting an NHL contract and it’s well deserved.”
Megna and Felhaber were slotted on the same line, and it was the catalyst for the newly appointed Av’s success. “(Megna) means the world, he’s a great captain,” Felhaber said. “We got put together about three weeks ago and it’s absolutely changed my game.”
There was little talk in the locker room ahead of the game about who would score the first goal of the night. However, last season a steak dinner was riding on the goal.
When Felhaber heard that news, he suggested the team do something to celebrate his goal this year.
“I wish we had something like that on it, but we had nothing” … “Maybe the boys will have to take me out for a steak dinner,” Felhaber said. If scoring the Teddy Bear goal was not enough reason for a steak dinner, Felhaber’s call to the big show certainly is.
