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04/30/2020 12:00 AMTyler Considine’s athletic career almost ended prematurely. When Tyler was 12, he took a shoulder to the head during a hockey practice and suffered a concussion that forced him to miss six weeks of the season. Tyler came back, played in eight games, and felt fully recovered—until bad luck struck again.
Tyler and his friend Jack Dacey were skating in his backyard pond when Tyler went to score on a breakaway. Dacey tossed his stick in attempt to stop Tyler, who fell and landed on his head.
“We always joke about it now,” says Tyler. “I was on the break, and it was super unlucky that I tripped on his stick. In that moment, I really thought it was the end of my hockey career, though.”
Tyler didn’t pick up a stick again until his junior year at Guilford High School, and it took some serious convincing from boys’ hockey Head Coach Ralph Russo. Tyler stepped back on the ice as a junior and went on to have a nice two-year career as a defenseman with the Indians.
“Coach Russo was the freshman baseball coach, and he was always saying that I should play again. My freshman and sophomore year I told him no. I didn’t think I was ready, and I really didn’t think I wanted to play again,” Tyler says. “But then my junior year rolled around, and I decided to give it a go. Coach Russo said he didn’t know what to expect of me, and I didn’t really know what to expect of myself. I knew there was going to be rust, but I gave it a go, and it all worked out for me.”
Tyler finished his hockey career at Guilford by leading the Indians as a senior alternate captain during the 2019-’20 season. Tyler dished out 20 assists and also scored four goals for Coach Russo’s squad.
“Tyler is a tremendous competitor who plays with great passion,” says Russo. “Our team benefited much from him bringing those qualities each day to the rink for each game and practice. His relentless hustle was inspiring to our team.”
Tyler helped a young Guilford club battle through some rough patches to make its way into the Division II State Tournament this year. One of the underclassmen on the Indians’ roster is Tyler’s younger brother Shane. Tyler loved playing alongside his brother in the green and white.
“There was no better feeling than being able to play with my brother. We were always one year apart, so we were never able to play with each other. So, being able to share the ice with him was special for my senior year,” Tyler says. “Overall, we didn’t have a great season, but I still appreciate everything we went through together. Me and all the other captains sat down with the underclassmen and let them know our expectations, and we fought till the very end.”
Tyler adds that he wasn’t always close with his brother like they are now. Tyler and Shane solidified their bond while competing for the Indians this season.
“We’re best friends, not brothers,” says Tyler. “After games, we talk for hours about how it went and how we can get better. It’s an amazing relationship we have, and I’m just really thankful that we were able to experience an entire season together.”
Aside from hockey, Tyler is also a member of the Guilford baseball team. Tyler suits up as a center fielder for the Indians and was named a senior captain for the 2020 season.
“Baseball is another great passion of mine,” says Tyler. ““I went in there right after the [hockey] team won the state championship and it was a great experience. I’ve enjoyed every second of baseball and hockey.”
Tyler’s grades are as good as they’ve ever been in his four years at Guilford High School. Tyler is currently between a couple of schools for college, but has Quinnipiac as his No. 1 option.
“I’m trying to major in criminal justice in college, and right now Quinnipiac has my eye. If it doesn’t work out there, I would go to Roger Williams,” Tyler says. “Either way, I want to try and play club sports in college. Both baseball and hockey have had a tremendous impact on my life, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities that I’ve received.”
Coach Russo feels grateful for getting the chance to work with Tyler the past two years. Russo knows that the Indians are going to miss having Tyler’s presence on the team.
“As a coach, it was a pleasure watching him compete,” says Russo.