Prospect Q&A: Tyler Weiss

Tyler Weiss was selected 109th overall in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche on and recently attended the team's development camp. The 5-foot-10, 159-pound forward is entering his freshman campaign at the University of Nebraska Omaha.
From Raleigh, North Carolina, Weiss spent the last two seasons in Plymouth, Michigan, playing for the United States National Team Development Program. He recorded 56 points (18 goals and 38 assists) in 107 total games at the NTPD and helped the Americans to a silver medal at the 2018 IIHF U-18 World Championship.

Weiss talked with ColoradoAvalanche.com about being selected by the Avs and getting ready for the upcoming season.
Why did you choose to play for Omaha?
"I thought it was the best place for me to reach my full potential. The organization is great, and the coaching staff they have there is really good. It's where we thought I would fit in the best, and that was the spot."
What are you looking forward to the most about playing college hockey next season?
"Probably just having fun and playing hockey. It's such a big opportunity to play for a lot of people and a good group of guys. It's a new place that I have never been before, so I'm excited for that."
What was your experience like with the U.S. NTDP?
"It was great. I got to play with a lot of really good players and against really good players. I definitely got stronger and faster there. It was a great experience, and I would do it all over again if I could."

When did you know the Avalanche was interested in drafting you?
"I went to the Scouting Combine and had 22 interviews, and I didn't have any interviews with Colorado. So being picked by Colorado definitely caught me off guard."
What are your impressions of Colorado so far?
"It's really hot here, and the view is very nice. Seeing the mountains is very cool, and everything looks really nice and everything looks really cool. I got to meet all of the trainers and all of the staff, and it was just really good."

What is your favorite food?
"My favorite food is probably Chipotle. I just get a burrito from there."
Which hockey players did you watch growing up?
"I grew up watching Evgeny Kuznetsov, Eric Staal and Sidney Crosby."
Who got you into playing hockey?
"Got to give credit to my brother and my dad. They were both playing the sport a ton, and my dad was refereeing too. That kind of made me try it, and I fell in love with it."
How would you describe your game?
"I'm a playmaker. I create opportunities for others and myself. I play with a lot of speed and creativity."