'No complaints' as Tim Gettinger continues to 'live the dream' at Sheffield Steelers
IT was just over 10 years ago that Tim Gettinger got to fulfil his childhood dream.
Sat in the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, the then 18-year-old forward had to wait until the fifth round of the NHL Draft to find out his destination.
The New York Rangers picked him out 141st overall and, the following March, signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract.
In all, Gettinger would go on to make 16 appearances for the Rangers. It would be 18 months after signing his deal before he made his NHL debut, called up from AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack to play against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden.
Another boyhood dream fulfilled.
And while Gettinger did not go on to play as often in the NHL as he would perhaps have liked, he has still enjoyed a successful pro career - particularly in the AHL where he has
His signing for Sheffield Steelers - announced on Saturday morning - has understandably caused a few heads to turn, as usually happens when any player comes to the UK’s top tier Elite League boasting NHL experience.
He may not have as many games in the world’s top league under his belt as, say, Brett Ritchie - the NHL-er who joined the Steelers for part of last season - but his record elsewhere suggests Aaron Fox has landed a gem.
In 366 AHL games, Gettinger posted 83 goals and 100 assists, largely for Hartford where he spent the majority of his playing time within the Rangers’ organisation over six years before making the switch to Detroit Red Wings affiliate, Grand Rapids Griffins, in 2023, a team who that same summer had parted company with former Steelers’ player-coach Ben Simon as their head coach.
Last season saw Gettinger spread his wings somewhat when agreeing to join Schwenninger Wild Wings in the German top-tier DEL.
An injury in his first outing, however, put him on the backfoot from an early stage and sidelined for several weeks and while he cites his time in south-west Germany as an enjoyable one, he struggled to reach his full potential, producing just five goals and three assists in 36 league and play-off appearances.
He therefore arrives in Sheffield not only looking to make up for some lost time last season, but keen to thrive in a new environment.
“One of the biggest things for me, talking with Aaron, is just the family-like culture in Sheffield,” said Gettinger. “Everyone's close, there's a lot of great people in the organisation, the fans are great, the city's great.
“That was kind of a big selling point for me, talking with my wife, figuring out what the plan was. For us, obviously, coming over there, we have a newborn baby, so it's kind of the family-like culture that he talked about that was an ideal fit for me and my family.”
At 28, it could be argued Gettinger is heading to South Yorkshire entering his prime as a player.
“Yeah, I think so,” he agreed when asked if that was the case. “I got hurt (in Germany) and I was just dealing with injuries in the recent past, but right now I'm feeling good.
“I'm excited for this new opportunity to join Sheffield and show what I'm capable of. I enjoy getting to the dirty areas and getting physical and creating space for my team-mates. So when I'm playing at my best, I believe I play a fast, 200-foot game.”
Looking back on his experience with the Rangers’ organisation, Gettinger admits it was an “awesome” period in his career.
“I've enjoyed every minute of my career,” added Gettinger. “For me, it's every kid's dream, obviously, to get drafted in the NHL and then I ended up spending six years with the Rangers organisation, which was awesome.
“My whole time there, I really enjoyed it. Obviously, I got opportunities with a big club, but even when I was down in the AHL, they treated me very well there too and obviously that was kind of the start to my career. Then there were a couple years in Grand Rapids and with the Red Wings organisation and that was great as well.
“For me, I just kind of take it day by day and enjoy my time playing hockey. At the end of the day, I'm playing hockey for a living, so I don't complain too much.”
And on the moment he found out he was being called up to make his Rangers’ debut against Washington in November 2018, he recalled: “We were actually on the road with Hartford and getting ready to play a game and then the coach called me in and told me I wasn't playing because I was going up.
“It was just a cool moment, obviously, to be able to call my parents and brother and sister and my wife- my girlfriend at the time.
“And they were able to get to my first game, which at the end of the day is something I'll remember for the rest of my life.
“And it was at Madison Square Garden, too - which was just a little cherry on the top.”
Timeline – Tim Gettinger’s pro career
​June 24, 2016: Gettinger selected 141st overall by the New York Rangers in the 2016 NHL entry draft.
March 16, 2017: The Rangers signed Gettinger to a three-year, entry-level contract while he continued to play for the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds.
Nov, 24, 2018: Gettinger is called up from Hartford Wolf Pack to play for the Rangers against Washington, making his NHL debut at Madison Square Garden.
July 1, 2023: Signed by NHL rivals Detroit Red Wings on a one-year, two-way contract with AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins. He left Hartford having scored 83 goals and 100 assists in 366 regular season and play-off games.
July 30, 2025: Signs for Schwenninger Wild Wings in the DEL.
Aug 1, 2026: Signs for Sheffield Steelers in the Elite League