Owen Tippett

Considered by scouts as the best pure natural goal scorer at his age group, Tippett was drafted in the first round, fourth overall, in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection by the Mississauga Steelheads.[1] Tippett appeared in his first career OHL game on September 25, 2015, as he was held with no points in a 7–0 win over the Ottawa 67's. Tippett recorded his first OHL goal and point in his fourth career game, as he scored against Lucas Peressini of the Kingston Frontenacs in a 3–1 victory on October 2. On November 20, Tippett recorded his first multi goal game, as he scored twice against Jake Kment of the North Bay Battalion in a 7–0 win. Tippett scored 15 goals and 20 points in 48 games in his rookie OHL season, and was named to the OHL's First All-Rookie Team.[2] In his first career OHL playoff game, Tippett earned an assist in a 5–2 loss to the Barrie Colts. In game six of the series against the Colts, Tippett scored his first career OHL playoff goal against goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood in a 7–0 Steelheads victory. In seven playoff games, Tippett scored a goal and three points as Mississauga lost to the Barrie Colts in the conference quarter-finals.

Tippett had a very impressive season in 2016–17, scoring 44 goals, which led the team and ranked him fifth in the OHL, and 75 points in 60 games with the Steelheads, helping the team finish in first place in the Central Division. On December 4, Tippett set a career high with four points in a game against the Ottawa 67's, scoring two goals and adding two assists in a 6–3 win. Tippett opened the post-season with a four point effort, scoring a goal and three assists in a 6–2 victory over the Ottawa 67's. Tippett continued his very strong play in the post-season, scoring 10 goals and 19 points in 20 games, as the Steelheads advanced to the J. Ross Robertson Cup finals, where they lost to the Erie Otters.

Tippett returned to the Steelheads in 2017–18 after beginning the season with the Florida Panthers. In 51 games with Mississauga, Tippett scored 36 goals to lead the club, and earned 75 points. On January 4, Tippett recorded his first career OHL hat trick, scoring three goals in the first period against Tyler Johnson in a 4–3 shootout victory over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. On March 4, Tippett earned his second hat trick of the season, scoring three goals against Daniel Murphy and adding an assist in a 7–2 win over the Erie Otters. In the playoffs, Tippett scored three goals and five points in six games as the Steelheads lost to the Barrie Colts in the conference quarter-finals.

The Florida Panthers returned Tippett to the Steelheads after training camp for the 2018–19 season. Tippett played in 23 games with Mississauga, scoring 19 goals and 33 points. In his first game of the season on September 28, Tippett scored three goals against Noah Battaglia of the Erie Otters, and added an assist in a 6–1 Steelheads victory. On November 18, Tippett had another four point game, scoring two goals and adding two assists in a 5–3 win over the Sudbury Wolves. On January 5, 2019, Tippett was traded to the Saginaw Spirit in exchange for Aidan Prueter and six draft picks.[3]

Tippett finished the 2018–19 season with the Saginaw Spirit following a mid-season trade. In his first game with the Spirit on January 5, 2019, Tippett scored an empty net goal and added an assist in a 5–2 win over the Kitchener Rangers. On February 13, Tippett scored three goals against the Flint Firebirds in a 9–2 victory. On February 23, Tippett tied his career high with points in a game, as he scored a goal and four points in a 6–3 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs. Less than a month later, Tippett again matched his career high with points in a game, as he earned four points against the Sarnia Sting, helping Saginaw win the game 6–2. In 31 games with the Spirit, Tippett scored 14 goals and 41 points, helping the club finish in first place in the West Division.

In the 2019 OHL playoffs, Tippett had back-to-back three point games in the Western Conference quarter-finals against the Sarnia Sting, helping Saginaw sweep the series. Tippett continued the strong play during the first three games in the conference semi-finals, as Tippett had three consecutive three point games against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. While the Greyhounds help Tippett pointless in the final three games, the Spirit defeated the Greyhounds and advanced to the Western Conference finals. In seven games against the Guelph Storm, Tippett was held to two goals and five points, including no points in the final three games, as Guelph defeated Saginaw in seven games. In 17 playoff games, Tippett scored 11 goals and 22 points.

Prior to the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Tippett was considered a top prospect. Considerable praise were given to his skating and shooting ability, with scouts considering him the best pure goal scorer in the draft.[4] Tippett was selected 10th overall in the NHL 2017 Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers. On July 19, 2017, he agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Panthers.[5]

Tippett selected by the Panthers at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

After an impressive training camp with the Panthers, Tippett made the opening night roster for the 2017–18 season. After starting as a healthy scratch, Tippett made his NHL debut with the Panthers, recording an impressive 7 shots, in a 5–1 defeat to the Philadelphia Flyers on October 17, 2017.[6] Tippett appeared in 7 games with the Panthers before he was returned to continue his development in major junior with the Mississauga Steelheads on November 7, 2017.[7] After participating at the Panthers training camp prior to the 2018–19 season, Tippett was returned to the Steelheads on September 27, 2018.[8]