Nash’s hockey ties run deep Son of former NHLer, newest Ice forward a chip off the old, abrasive block By: Mike Sawatzky Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022

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This article was published 04/10/2022 (766 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ty Nash’s ties to the hockey life run deep.

From an early age in Scottsdale, Ariz., the newest member of the Winnipeg Ice was coached by his dad, Tyson, who had played six years in the NHL and was also an integral member of one of the greatest dynasties in junior hockey history.

Dad was knowledgeable and opinionated. But at 14, Ty grew weary of the advice and in-your-face coaching style and said he was going to find something else to do.

It was a wakeup call his father says he needed. And so Tyson took a step back, becoming an observer and more of the confidante his son craved.

“I was an absolute donkey,” recalled Tyson earlier this week from Arizona where he’s an outspoken TV analyst for the NHL’s Coyotes. “I was a Mike Keenan. I was a yeller. I was a screamer. I’m like, ‘What am I doing? That doesn’t work with kids nowadays,’ and I think over time that kind of wore on Ty. I was pretty hard on him to the point where he wanted to quit hockey… he was like, ‘I’m done. I’m quitting. I’m gonna play basketball.’”

Five years later, Ty is still in the game and he’s found himself in an enviable position.

Although he appreciated his three years with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and was heartbroken to leave, an early season trade to Winnipeg has been like winning the lottery. At practice this week with his new Winnipeg teammates, who are ranked No. 1 in the Canadian Hockey League and off to a 4-0-0-0 start, Ty has been skating on a line with first-round NHL draft picks Matt Savoie and Conor Geekie.

“It’s a little unexpected but, you know, (being traded is) the hard part of hockey,” said Ty. “The guys here have made it really easy. (Head coach James Patrick) has made it great for me to be able to come in and play the system, so it’s been an easy adjustment.”

“I’m trying to tell Ty that, ‘Hey, as much as you may take it personally, look at the fact that the best team in the CHL, let alone the Western Hockey League, wanted you as bad as they did?… I mean, that’s pretty exciting.”–Tyson Nash, Ty’s father

There are obvious benefits of this scenario for the undrafted 19-year-old left-winger.

“I’m trying to tell Ty that, ‘Hey, as much as you may take it personally, look at the fact that the best team in the CHL, let alone the Western Hockey League, wanted you as bad as they did?’” said Tyson. “I mean, that’s pretty exciting.”

Ty attended rookie camp with the Edmonton Oilers last month but is constantly looking to generate interest from pro scouts — much like his dad did as a grinding winger for the Kamloops Blazers from 1991 to 1995 — and having linemates such as Savoie and Geekie is a fine place to start. Moreover, scouts flocking to see teammate Zach Benson, a probable top-five pick in 2023, will also getting plenty of exposure to the rest of the team.

“To be able to play with some of the best players in the WHL, it’s pretty awesome,” said Ty. “I’ve just got to do my part to be able to stay with those guys and work hard. I mean, I don’t really have to make the plays for my line, so that’s kind of nice. I just need to get pucks to them and let them do the work.”

Ty’s abrasive style is expected to be very helpful to the team concept, much like Tyson was for the Blazers during their incredible run of three WHL and Memorial Cup titles in a span of four years.

In 1994-94, Tyson played on Kamloops’ second line with Ryan Huska and Shane Doan, which was dubbed the Wrecking Crew. Ten members of that team went on to play in the NHL.

Ty, for his part, has heard the old war stories and watched some video of dad’s glory days. He gets it.

“I saw the way he played — he wasn’t always the most skilled guy but he still made it,” said Ty. “I’m trying to follow what he did and learn from it.”

Patrick, who faced Tyson numerous times during their respective playing careers, admits Ty is pretty much a chip off the old block: persistent and extremely annoying to play against.

“I think for us he’s a guy who can move up and down the lineup, he can check and give you a little bite or, I want to say, a little nastiness…,” said Patrick.

However, Patrick expects to see more flash to Ty’s game, which should mean an improvement on the 17 goals and 38 points he scored in 60 regular-season games last season. Ty has three assists in three games since joining the Ice last week.

“I think the difference in junior is you establish how you have to play but as you become a 19- and 20-year-old, you can bring some offence,” said Patrick. “And I think you know when I look at Ty, I just think there’s definitely more offence than he probably had two years ago.”

“I think for us he’s a guy who can move up and down the lineup, he can check and give you a little bite or, I want to say, a little nastiness.”–James Patrick, Winnipeg Ice head coach

In Ty’s case, he’ll have a devoted dad watching online or in person, as was the case for Winnipeg’s games in Swift Current and Medicine Hat last week. Part of the post-game conversation was a reminder from dad to to stay higher on his D-zone coverage.

“It’s nice to have a guy like that in my corner, with all (his) experience with winning a championship and being a part of the league,” said Ty, grinning. “(And) it’s nice to get a text from him after the game telling me what to do and how to be better.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter @sawa14