Tyson Nash: From The Ice To The Press Box
The Beginning: Tyson Nash On The Ice
Tyson Nash — who currently sits alongside Matt McConnell as the Arizona Coyotes TV analyst — started his road to a pro hockey career in 1990, with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL.
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He continued playing in the WHL after failing to get drafted by an NHL franchise, moving up to the ECHL and AHL until he was signed to a free agent NHL contract on July 14, 1998 by the St. Louis Blues.
He only played two regular season games that season, contributing on the ice for one playoff game as well — but he did appear in 55 games for the Worcester Ice Cats of the AHL, where he scored 14 goals and pitched in for 22 assists. He also visited the penalty box quite frequently, collecting 143 minutes during the regular season and 27 during the Ice Cats’ post-season run — but he was productive enough on the ice in the playoffs, coming in with 4 goals and 1 assist in 5 games.
“Tyson’s specialty was being a pest; he was known for using relentless forechecking skills and baiting his opponents into penalties.”
After playing 5 seasons with the Blues, he was traded on June 21, 2003 to the Phoenix Coyotes for Phoenix’s fifth round pick — which turned out to be Lee Stempniak. He came to Arizona with an average of 96 PIM per season.
He wasn’t a big player at five foot eleven, but had enough bulk — he clocked in at 191 lbs — and was definitely considered a tough competitor. He had a low center of gravity, making him tough to knock down, and proved to be a decent fighter during his time in Arizona. Some of his bone crunching checks were classic.
Puck Prose
Nash only spent two seasons in Phoenix, playing 119 games over the ’03-’04 and ’05-’06 seasons.
He collected 3 goals and 11 assists over that time, performing as a fourth line player and killing penalties — but fans remember him skating out each night with an all-out, reckless abandon style of play — if you had the puck, he was coming after you.
"Since I’ve been around the valley dating back to the WHA Phoenix Roadrunners days, I can tell you he reminded me of Robbie Ftorek. Sort of like a mosquito buzzing around you and getting you so irritated that you would do something stupid, like a penalty just to rid yourself of his pursuit. I think that type of fore-checking is missing in today’s NHL."
Shift To Broadcasting
Tyson the broadcaster is totally entertaining. I love some of his choice of words — like when a player is cut, Nash exclaims, “That’s a gusher”. His time as a former player gives the viewers insight that broadcasters without NHL experience can’t bring to the table.
Nash didn’t score much, but this goal was his BEST. He actually dove towards the crease and knocked it in. Here’s a collection of his play, his quirky sense of humor, and what he’s all about.
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