Tyler Marble stacks up
He is 23-years old and has drawn favourable comparisons to another high-end goalie who left school early to sign a pro contract.
So what does Tyler Marble do — remain with the Colorado College Tigers of the Division 1, National Collegiate Hockey Conference or turn pro?
Marble, a 6-foot-2, 185 pound, former North American Hockey League goalie of the year from 2012-2013 while playing for the Soo Eagles, is coming off his first season with Colorado College.
Technically a sophomore after missing his entire freshman season of 2013-2014 following shoulder surgery, Marble put up impressive numbers at Colorado College in 2014-2015 on a last-place team.
Marble, who played ahead of Chase Perry — a fifth-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings at the 2014 National Hockey League draft — had a record of 5-18-2 with a 3.48 goals against average and .900 save percentage for a Colorado College team that finished the 2014-2015 season with a mark of 6-26-3.
By comparison, Perry’s numbers as Marble’s backup were a 1-8-1 record, 3.97 goals against average and .880 save percentage.
As for Marble — who some in the hockey world compare to 22-year old Connor Hellebuyck, the former UMass-Lowell standout who left school after two years to sign with the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets last fall and is now their top goaltending prospect — does he return to Colorado College in 2015-2016 or does he seek a pro offer?
To be sure, that is something that Marble’s family advisor, David Maciuk, is pondering these days.
On one hand, Marble has played just the one season of Division 1 hockey.
On the other hand, he’s an athletic, pro-style goalie who is 23-years old.
What to do?
PHOTO: Tyler Marble, in action with the Colorado College Tigers.