TEMPE – On a recent Saturday night at Mullett Arena, public address announcer Chuck Drago prepared to announce the starting lineup for Arizona State’s hockey team. It was opening weekend, and the fifth-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions were in town.
Fans and students always cheer loudly for their team, regardless of who is starting. However, that particular lineup was different. Drago, in his trademark voice, said, “At left wing, a sophomore from Scottsdale, Arizona, Ty Nash,” followed by, “At center, a sophomore from Mesa, Arizona, Logan Morrell.”
The crowd went wild.
Nash and Morrell opened the season as linemates, logging big minutes in all situations. The two are finally reunited after growing up together and playing for the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes.
Initially, the duo went their separate ways, with the Lethbridge Hurricanes selecting Nash in the ninth round of the 2018 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft. By September of 2019, Nash officially signed and began his Major Junior Career.
Nash is the son of former Coyotes player and color commentator Tyson Nash. The family is based in Edmonton, Alberta, and that’s where the younger Nash eventually finished his WHL career, serving as an alternate captain in the 2023-24 season.
Ty Nash decided to stay in northern Alberta and committed to the University of Alberta Golden Bears. Having played major junior hockey in Canada, he was unable to play NCAA hockey until a recent rule change allowed former CHL players to make the jump to the collegiate ranks.
Morrell, meanwhile, took the traditional path for a kid who knew he wanted to play in the NCAA. After playing with the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes for four seasons, he moved to the junior A leagues in North America, where he spent two years in the United States Hockey League and one season in the British Columbia Hockey League, before spending his freshman season at Michigan Tech, followed by a transfer to Arizona State.
The homecomings for both Arizona natives were special for multiple reasons. Morrell and his family have deep ties to both ASU and the hockey program.
“I grew up going to ASU games as a kid at Oceanside (Ice Arena in Tempe), and both my parents are ASU grads, so it was super cool having a bunch of family at games,” Morrell said.
Both families are very familiar with each other, having grown up spending time in Valley hockey rinks, and the elder Tyson also coached the two on the Jr. Coyotes.
“I was pretty hard on the kids back then, but I certainly enjoyed it,” he said. “I love more than ever now, seeing these kids having success.”
For a college hockey program in a non-traditional market, showcasing local talent offers not only a feel-good aspect for fans but also a valuable marketing opportunity. It also represents the product Arizona can put on the ice. ASU coach Greg Powers understands the appeal.
“When we recruit local kids, we tell them that’s how it’s going to be, when the fans hear from Mesa and Scottsdale, they’re going to cheer louder,” Powers said.
Just six games into the Sun Devils’ season, the line of Nash, Morell and freshman Sam Alfano has been praised by both Powers and veteran players for sparking the team and being adaptable enough to play in any situation. After dropping a pair of away games last weekend to Augustana University, the 2-4 Sun Devils are again on the road Friday and Saturday with two games against Miami.
“The sky’s the limit for those three,” Powers said of the line that has notched 10 points in their first five games together. “I’m really excited about getting them here and having them in our program.”
With both Nash and Alfano coming from the CHL, the line wouldn’t have materialized without the new rule allowing CHL players to compete for NCAA teams.
Not only has the new rule brought in more high end talent to the NCAA, it allowed players like Nash to be able to return home, get an education and live out his dream.
“People love the story and you never think something like this could happen, especially in Arizona,” Nash said. “This is a hockey hot bed.”
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