British Columbia Hockey League product Tyler McNeely made his professional debut with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League on the weekend and helped the club to a pair of 5-1 wins.
McNeely, who spent three seasons with the Express franchise before playing four seasons at Northeastern University, signed with the Sound Tigers – the New York Islanders AHL affiliate – last week.
His first game was Friday night on the road as Bridgeport visited the Portland Pirates in Maine. Wearing jersey #14, McNeely played on the Sound Tigers' third line with minor league veteran Rob Hisey and winger Brian Day, an Islanders sixth-round pick from 2006 who was also making his pro debut.
Day tallied late in the third and McNeely finished the game with an even rating and two shots.
Another road game followed on Saturday night with Bridgeport in Connecticut to face Wade Redden and the Whale. McNeely had the same linemates and again put two shots on net, finishing the game a +2.
McNeely will make his home debut Monday evening as the Sound Tigers host the Syracuse Crunch.
The 5-foot-10, 165-pounder tallied 74 goals and 141 assists over 161 games in his three-plus seasons in the BCHL. He won a national championship with the Express in 2006.
