By Alexis Demopoulos
For defenseman Tyler Hansen, signing with the Rock Springs Grizzlies was a great decision for his last year of junior hockey. It has helped him earn an NCAA Division III commitment to Concordia College, located in Moorhead, Minn., for the 2025-26 season.
Hansen spent last season in the NCDC splitting time between two different teams, but decided this year to sign with the Grizzlies and he has never looked back. In 35 games played this season, Hansen has 13 points (3G, 10A) and has been a solid fixture on the blue line.
“I decided to sign with the Grizzlies because the overall ability for my parents to come to games was higher,” said Hansen. “Games here are played in the evenings versus during the day. I also have some buddies on this team. I wanted to play hockey with them again. My goal this year was to be more creative in my game play and enjoy my last year of juniors.”
“The boys here are a family,” he added. “We’ve had quite a few ups and downs this year, but we have stuck through it all as a team.”
Hansen credits the NCDC as an organization for helping him develop as a player over the course of two seasons and being able to showcase his skills. One of his earliest appearances was at the NCDC Frozen Futures Showcase in Idaho Falls, which ran Oct. 2-4.
“This league has helped me continue to develop my game by offering competitive teams to play against and a competitive atmosphere,” said the St. Michael, Minn., native. “The NCDC season starts with a showcase. The Showcase provides multiple game opportunities for scouts from other programs and colleges to watch players that may benefit their programs all in one arena.”
Hansen started communicating with Concordia a little bit last season and the talks picked up again this past summer, which led to the coaching staff coming to watch him at the first NCDC showcase.
“I talked to Assistant Coach Elliot Bates during that week and really started to feel that Concordia would be the right program for me to continue my education and play college hockey,” said Hansen. “When talking with Head Coach Kirk Olimb, he liked how physical I play, my consistency and stick positioning in the defensive zone.”
Hansen was drawn to Concordia for a number of different reasons. He liked the fact that it would be close to where he grew up; the coaching staff made him feel like he was home; the competitive hockey in the MIAC; and, of course, the academics. Hansen plans on majoring in business.
“What interested me the most was the possibility of playing for Xoaches Olimb and Bates,” said Hansen. “I liked how they talked about their program and the family-type hockey locker room atmosphere. Also, it will be nice getting back to Minnesota and playing in the really competitive and high-end MIAC conference. I also really liked Concordia’s Business program, which is impressive and has a large percentage of placements after graduation.”
Being a defenseman, Hansen’s top priorities are his compete level and being solid in the defensive zone. He plans on getting physically stronger to prepare for the college level.
“I am going to continue to work on my gap control and stick position in the defensive zone,” said Hansen. “I will also be getting in the gym more during the off-season to get bigger, faster and stronger to compete at the next level next year playing college hockey in the MIAC.”
Hansen is hopeful to finish out his juniors career strong and for his team to make a playoff push.
“We are hoping to make a competitive push towards the end of the season for playoffs,” said Hansen.”I want to continue to get bigger, faster and physically stronger. I also want to continue to grow as a player, a teammate, and person off the ice.”
The NCDC congratulates Tyler Hansen, his family, the Rock Springs Grizzlies and Concordia College for his commitment.