Montana Tech’s Tye Carriere Represents Team USA at International Winter Cup
Montana Tech hockey player Tye Carriere earned the opportunity of a lifetime this winter, representing Montana Tech, the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), and Team USA on the international stage at the Winter Cup.
“Representing Montana Tech was very special, and I received an outstanding amount of support from coaches, Tech alumni, and my teammates,” Carriere said. “I was very fortunate to be selected for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Montana Tech head coach Dave Rathgeber. Although Orediggers hockey is a club team, this experience shows the pathways and opportunities that being a member of a club at Montana Tech can provide.”
Tye Carriere (MT Tech Hockey)
The Winter Cup is an international tournament held in Oświęcim, Poland, featuring a select ACHA team assembled from more than 100 programs across the United States. Leading up to the tournament, the team played two exhibition games to build chemistry, facing UMB in Slovakia and BO Ostrava in Czechia.
The Winter Cup itself consisted of three games in Oświęcim. The ACHA select squad went undefeated, earning wins against teams from Hungary and the host club, the UHT Sabers.
Team USA was coached by Dave Weaver, head coach at Montana State University.
“For me personally, it was a huge honor to be asked to head coach the select team,” Weaver said. “Having the chance to coach alongside Gary Gardner from Lindenwood and to work with Sean Levine, the ACHA Division II commissioner and general manager of this team, was a great learning experience. The players were fantastic to work with—great players, but even better people.”
Coach Weaver (Photo: MSU Hockey)
Weaver also reflected on the experience of coaching overseas and adapting to the European style of play.
“Coaching overseas was incredible,” he said. “The Europeans play a much different game than we do—very skilled, fast transitions, and limited physicality. We had a very talented roster with great players from across the ACHA, and we were able to adapt our style and play very well throughout the trip and tournament.”
Coach Weaver also spoke about having Carriere on the team.
“It was a pleasure to coach Tye. He is a big body, skates well, and is a responsible two way player. We played him on our first line and he excelled,” Weaver said.
The Winter Cup games were played on a larger, Olympic-size ice surface rather than a standard North American rink, requiring strategic adjustments. To counter the additional space, the team focused on staying inside the dots, limiting quick transitions, and preventing opponents from attacking the middle of the ice.
“Playing in Europe was very different from North American hockey in many aspects,” Carriere said. “There are numerous differences in the rules for on-ice play, and adjusting to the European style of hockey was something we had to work through.”
Carriere’s experience at the Winter Cup not only highlighted his personal skill and dedication but also showcased the growing opportunities for club athletes at Montana Tech. By competing on an international stage and contributing to Team USA’s undefeated run, he demonstrated that hard work, talent, and the support of a strong program can open doors far beyond the local rink.
