University of Minnesota Athletics
Ski-U-Mah Life: Tyler Nanne
2/21/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Ski-U-Mah Life highlights some of the more than 700 Minnesota student-athletes outside of their athletic accomplishments. This week, sophomore Tyler Nanne's family connection to hockey is spotlighted.
Ski-U-Mah Life Archive
Tyler Nanne was a little kid when Xcel Energy Center first opened in 2000, and can recall the first time he had the chance to skate on its sheet of ice.
"It was in between periods at a Wild game, for a Mites game in second or third grade," he explained. "All I remember was that I hit the crossbar and I didn't score and I was pretty devastated."
The hockey bug bit him from an early age. More than three years after the departure of Minnesota's first NHL franchise, the North Stars, Nanne was born in Edina. By age one he was already playing the game, the latest in a hockey family that includes both his grandfather Lou, and his dad, Marty, who each starred on the ice for the Gophers.
Like most kids, Tyler wanted to be a goal scorer, first and foremost. His favorite player was Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, and he loved lighting the lamp. It was one of his many chats with Lou, though, that helped shape his path in the game.
"Every time I can be around him, I learn something each and every day," Tyler said of the former North Stars player, coach and executive. "He has a crazy memory, he remembers plays from back when he played. I think the overall pivotal moment was just, him telling me that I should be playing defense. Growing up, in the summer I was defense for my Triple A team and forward for my school team and I wanted to score goals but he just knew me as a player and knew defense was the position to go about."
Both Tyler and his older brother, Louie, found success on the ice. They were standout players at Edina High School, with each winning state titles at the X during their Hornet careers. Before their college careers took hold, both Louie and Tyler also gained experience in the USHL in juniors.
"We actually got to play together when I was a sophomore and he was a junior and that was one of the most fun times I can remember playing hockey," Tyler said. "I think, any time you can win, it's always fun. Our upbringing was an amazing time, being raised in Edina and having the parents and grandparents motivating us to be the best we can be."
Louie, who is 21 months older, chose to play his college career on the East Coast, playing three seasons with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. And at first, Tyler decided to leave the Twin Cities when he got his high school diploma. He started at Ohio State, opting to remain within the Big Ten.
However, adversity hit Tyler in Columbus. He was diagnosed with a heart ailment, and never suited up for the Buckeyes. After one year, he made the decision to come home, close to medical care and those he loves - including his cousin, Vinni Lettieri. The cousins spent last season on the Gopher roster together before Lettieri signed with the New York Rangers, beginning his NHL career this winter.
Now that he's back in Minnesota, Nanne has thrived. He's got a clean bill of health, and after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, the sophomore defenseman has been an integral part of the Gophers this year.
"The U has the Mayo Clinic nearby and my family is here," he explained. "That's a no brainer, so when Coach Lucia called, it was like, `wow, this could really happen.' So I decided to commit here, had to sit out last year, but, I'm back to playing and in full health so it's great."
The best part for Nanne though? Being able to do it just minutes from his friends and family while wearing the Maroon and Gold across his sweater.
"I think listening to all the stories from my grandpa and my dad, there's an amazing culture and community, and it's just been great to be home," Tyler said. "To represent the Gophers, there's so much tradition and the hype around the city. "
Now, as the Gophers continue a push towards the postseason, he occasionally catches himself thinking about the short trip east to the big arena in St. Paul for the Frozen Four this spring.
"Ever since they won, they've been itching for another one, so I think, we've got to buckle down here and make a push. Like I said, trek to the X, that's what we said in high school, `play to the X.'"
Dan Reisig is an associate director of athletic communications at the University of Minnesota, and a contributing writer to GopherSports.com and Ski-U-Mah Magazine.
