FRASER, Mich. – Dylan Tegtmeyer moved away from his Fort Wayne, Ind., home last year to fine-tune his game with the Metro Jets with hopes in getting a college hockey opportunity.
He did – and now he’s heading back home to play for Indiana Tech University.
“Coach (Frank) DiCristofaro spoke with me at the showcase in Chicago,” said Tegtmeyer, a 1999 birth year forward who will join fellow Jets graduate Brady Hanson with the Warriors. “We had previously spoken before during my senior year of high school. I’m looking forward to joining the Indiana Tech hockey program and feel very fortunate to be going to such a high-quality program, which happens to be in Fort Wayne.
“It’s nice to go full circle and return to play in my hometown in front of my friends and family. I’d like to thank Coach Q (Jets coach-GM Justin Quenneville) for guiding me through the college process and pointing me to the organization that fits me best. I’m unsure what role I will play at Tech, but whatever it is, I will embrace it and be the best I can at it.”
In the classroom, Tegtmeyer said he’s undecided on a major.
Last season with the MJDP, Tegtmeyer posted two goals and three points in 23 games. He missed significant time with a broken hand suffered in the season opener in Chicago that required surgery.
“It is certainly not the way I had envisioned my starting season with the Jets organization, and I was extremely disappointed,” Tegtmeyer. “However, you have to make the best of whatever situation you find yourself in, and so I continued with any training I was able to do throughout my recovery. I’m pleased with where I was able to end my season with the Jets, and grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow as a player with the team.”
“The Jets rounded out my game by helping me to refine and build upon areas with which I had struggled in the past. This includes systems and learning to use my frame in a more efficient way. They also gave me the tools on and off the ice to become a well-rounded, complete player.”
Quenneville was enamored with the way Tegtmeyer dealt with adversity throughout the season.
“It’s bittersweet to see Dylan commit to Indiana Tech after everything he has been through,” said Quenneville. “He had a not-so-pleasant experience with his first junior team out east two years ago, then opted to come play for us here and invest in himself. Unfortunately for him, he got hurt early, but at no point did he complain or lay down. He came to work every day and did everything he could to be more than ready when it was time. He is coachable, works hard every day, wants to better himself in every sense, and ultimately a big reason why he finished successfully here.
“He was approached by several schools and he took his time to navigate through the options. He picked a good one with ITU, and we wish him nothing but the best of luck.”
After his up-and-down season, Tegtmeyer was certainly not short on people to thank.
“I would like to thank the Jets coaching staff – Coach Q, (associate head coach) Jamie Lovell and (assistant coaches) Dan Pszenyczny and Randy Wilson – for helping me achieve my goal of playing college hockey,” said Tegtmeyer. “I’d like to thank my teammates for always pushing me to be better, and my family for their support and the sacrifices they’ve made for me to pursue my dream.
“I also want to say ‘thank you’ to my billet family Rob and Meagan Smoyer for opening up their home to me.”
Since the beginning of June, Tegtmeyer has been skating as much as possible at his home rink and continuing his off-ice training and conditioning workouts. He said he will also enjoy the rest of summer with family and friends and working at the rink as a hockey instructor.
