Calgary's newest hockey sensation, Tyson Gross, is making waves as he joins the Flames, fresh off an impressive collegiate career. The National Collegiate Hockey Conference recently honored Gross as the Defensive Forward of the Year for the 2025-26 season, a testament to his standout performance with St. Cloud State University.
Gross, a Calgary native and captain of the Huskies, showcased his prowess by leading his team with 41 points and 23 assists during the regular season. He also netted 18 goals, placing him second on the squad.
His remarkable play didn't stop there; Gross tied for fourth in NCHC regular-season scoring and claimed the goal-scoring title with 16 goals in conference play. Notably, he also led the NCHC with two short-handed goals.
In the faceoff circle, Gross was a force to be reckoned with, boasting a win percentage of 59.3%, ranking him fourth in the conference and eighth nationally. His 464 faceoff wins lead the NCAA, underscoring his dominance at center ice. Gross also contributed defensively, blocking 12 shots and being a key player on the Huskies' penalty kill unit.
The 23-year-old right-shot center, standing at 6’3” and weighing 195 pounds, has a rich hockey history. He played minor hockey with Springbank and the Calgary AAA Flames before moving to the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Drumheller Dragons during the COVID-shortened seasons.
Gross then headed to the United States Hockey League, where he played with the Fargo Force and Cedar Rapids RoughRiders before joining St. Cloud State in 2023-24.
After two solid seasons, Gross broke out in a big way during the 2025-26 season, leading to his signing with the Flames. Fans can look forward to seeing this hometown talent debut with Calgary in the coming weeks, bringing his skill and tenacity to the NHL stage.