Erne grew up playing hockey in North Branford, Connecticut before moving to Los Angeles at the age of 13 to skate for a select team.[1] He began his junior career with the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League. In his one-season, he recorded 10 goals and 18 points over 45 games. The Ice's head coach, Charlie Skjodt, told The Hockey News that Erne often led the team in hits.[2] He was eventually offered a scholarship to play ice hockey at Boston University.[3]
On April 1, 2014, the Lightning signed Erne to an entry-level contract.[4]
In his final season with the Quebec Remparts, Erne was awarded the Guy Lafleur Trophy as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff most valuable player, following the team's game seven President Cup final victory.[5] The Remparts ultimately fell to the Kelowna Rockets in the 2015 Memorial Cup.[6] During the regular season, Erne recorded 41 goals and 45 assists for 86 points, along with a plus-21 and 102 penalty minutes.[7]
Professional
On September 19, 2013, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Erne would have a hearing for an incident during a preseason game against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. In the first period, Erne was assessed a minor penalty for an illegal check to the head for a hit on St. Louis forward Vladimir Sobotka. Sobotka left the game after the hit and did not return.[8] On the same day, the NHL announced that Erne had been suspended for three preseason games for delivering an illegal check to the head of Sobotka.[9]
On January 2, 2017, the Lightning recalled Erne from the Syracuse Crunch.[10] On January 3, 2017, Lightning head coach, Jon Cooper, informed the media that Erne would be making his NHL debut.[11] Erne found out that he was making his NHL debut when he walked into the room that morning and saw his number on the board.[12] Erne made his NHL debut that night against the Winnipeg Jets.[13] On March 3, 2017, Erne recorded his first career NHL goal and point against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.[14] On March 20, 2018, Erne recorded his first career NHL assist.[15] The assist came in a 4–3 Lightning win over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs.[16]
On September 12, 2023, Erne signed a professional tryout agreement with the Edmonton Oilers.[18] On October 13, 2023, Erne was signed to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 by the Oilers.[19] In the 2023–24 season, Erne made 24 regular season appearances with the Oilers registering 1 goal and 1 assist. He split the season with the Oilers AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, posting 6 goals and 12 points through 36 games.
As a free agent from the Oilers, he went un-signed over the summer. On September 10, 2024, Erne accepted an invitation to attend the New York Rangers training camp for the 2024–25 season on a professional tryout (PTO).[20] Without a contract offer from the Rangers, Erne was signed to a PTO with affiliate the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL to begin the season. Following 10 appearances with the Wolf Pack, registering just 1 assist, Erne was released from his PTO on November 16, 2024.[21]
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