Ty Enns has signed his first professional contract, a one-year deal in the ECHL with the Kansas City Mavericks.
Enns wrapped up his collegiate career this past season at Adrian College, where he put up 48 points in 30 games. He was in contact with different ECHL teams since January but he didn't make his decision until last month.
"Kansas City was actually one of the first teams to reach out to me," Enns explains. "After my season ended, I ended up playing a couple of games in the ECHL with Toledo. After you finish college, you become a free agent, and I just got an offer from Kansas City to come play this year. I signed there, and I'm pretty excited about it."
The 25-year-old says he's been waiting his entire life to say he's a professional hockey player.
"It's been a long time in the making, for sure. I've been playing hockey since I was a little kid, and I think you always dream of doing it. The ECHL is a very good league. It's very competitive. Hopefully, I can make things work out there and see what kind of success I can have."
From the rookie himself—Ty Enns! pic.twitter.com/5d6prW6Qpg
— Kansas City Mavericks (@kc_mavericks) July 11, 2023
In his three games with the Toledo Walleye at the end of the 2022-23 campaign, Enns dished out one assist. He believes that a brief taste of ECHL competition will bode well as he heads into his rookie season.
"It's infested with guys that played in the American Hockey League and have been up and down. There are guys that have had short stints in the NHL or were in the NHL but are a little older," Enns continues. "It's a bit of a long shot to go to the NHL but you never know. It could just be a few injuries away. Obviously, you don't wish that on anybody but just knowing there can be those opportunities is exciting."
The Cartwright product played a large role on the Portage Terriers 2017 Turnbull Cup Championship team as he finished the regular season third on the team in scoring. During his season and a half in Portage, Enns says head coach Blake Spiller showed him what it meant to be involved in a winning culture.
"Spills was a great coach, and he knows how to win. The Terriers seem to win the Manitoba Junior Hockey League every other year. He knows how to win, and he drives that into his players and gives them that competitive edge. He teaches you what you have to do when you're getting down to crunch time in the playoffs. He showed me how much you really have to sacrifice if you want to go far."
Enns was a winner in Junior A and college, as he won a national championship with Adrian College in 2022.
"I think that'll help a lot. One of the things that Kansas City mentioned to me was they like to have winners on their team. I've been fortunate enough to win a national championship, and that was a lot of fun. Hopefully, I can bring those winning ways to Kansas City."
Another Goal for the Bulldogs! Scored by #19 Ty Enns. 3 AC | 1 CUW with 18:56 Remaining in the 2nd pic.twitter.com/NdYxW8CHir
— Adrian College TV (@AdrianCollegeTV) February 18, 2023
He suited up for Adrian College 61 times over the last two years and averaged over 1.5 points per game. Enns will be looking to bring that scoring prowess to the Mavericks in the fall.
"I'm a shooter, for sure. I think that's what most people know me as if they've seen me play hockey. It's a step up in the ECHL, and it'll be difficult, but I think I'm ready for it," says Enns. "If I just keep doing my thing and keep shooting the puck like I know I can, I'd hope a couple will slip in for me."
Enns and the Mavericks will make their regular season debut on October 20 against the Wichita Thunder.