ARIZONA COYOTES

Tyson Nash responds to story about on-ice apology

Jun 7, 2016, 8:16 PM

Phoenix Coyotes' Tyson Nash, left, shoots for the goal while San Jose Sharks Kyle McLaren covers Th...

Phoenix Coyotes' Tyson Nash, left, shoots for the goal while San Jose Sharks Kyle McLaren covers Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

(AP Photo/George Nikitin)

Former NHL bruiser Tyson Nash was known for being a tough guy. On Tuesday, a touching story from Nash’s career was revealed.

Nash is the color commentator for Arizona Coyotes TV broadcasts, and played seven NHL seasons with the St Louis Blues and Phoenix Coyotes. In an article on The Players’ Tribune, former NHL referee Kerry Fraser tells of when he made Nash deliver a heartfelt apology, changing his life.

I was reffing a game in New York when Theo (Fleury) came up to me with tears in his eyes.

“Kerry, you gotta do something,” he said.

Theo had just gotten back to the ice after some time in a rehab program. At the time, I didn’t know the extent of his past trauma with sexual abuse — nobody did. But everybody in the league knew that Theo had spent a few rough years struggling with drugs and alcohol.

At the very end of the first period, Theo had gotten into a scrum with Blues tough guy Tyson Nash, and words were exchanged. Theo skated up to me after everything got broken up, and he was very emotional. You almost never see guys get emotional on the ice, but this was different.

“Kerry, he was talking about my drug problems,” Theo said. “He can’t talk to me like that. I’m really trying to clean up my life, Kerry. Honestly.”

Fraser writes that he couldn’t eject Nash for something he didn’t hear. During intermission, Fraser told Nash’s head coach, Joel Quenneville, that he wanted Nash to apologize to Fleury when they returned to the ice.

When Tyson got to us, his lip was actually quivering. You could tell he was deeply affected, perhaps even ashamed. He tapped Theo on the shin pad and gave a terrific apology.

“I want to wish you all the best in everything you have ahead of you,” he said.

Theo and Tyson shook hands.

Later in Fraser’s story, Nash explained the impact the incident had on him.

“That night changed my life. It really made me think about what kind of person I wanted to be.”

After the story was published, Nash took to Twitter to follow up on the retired hockey official’s mini memoir.

As an enforcer, Nash scored 24 goals but had 479 penalty minutes in just 255 career games. He defended the job that sometimes seems cruel, even as he regrets what he said to Fleury.

Arizona Coyotes

Sean M. Daley mugshot from Scottsdale Police Department. Daley was charged with assaulting former C...

Kevin Zimmerman

Paul Bissonnette attacker indicted for assaulting former Coyotes player

A man accused of attacking former Coyotes player and NHL analyst Paul Bissonnette was indicted last Tuesday

1 day ago

Phoenix filed a lawsuit against Tempe amid the Arizona Coyotes Tempe arena proposal push...

Kevin Zimmerman

Phoenix requests to settle lawsuit against Tempe that started over since-failed Coyotes arena

A Phoenix City Council meeting could help end a dispute between the city and neighboring Tempe over the since-failed Arizona Coyotes arena.

7 days ago

Suspects arrested in Paul Bissonnette's fight at a Scottsdale restaurant....

Kevin Zimmerman

Scottsdale Police release names of suspects from Paul Bissonnette restaurant fight

The names of six men arrested for a fight involving Paul Bissonnette in Scottsdale were released by the Scottsdale Police Department.

16 days ago

Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette looks on during Capital One's The Match IX at The Park West Palm...

Kevin Zimmerman

Former Coyotes winger Paul Bissonnette details Scottsdale restaurant fight, says he’s OK

Paul Bissonnette appeared on his Spittin' Chiclets podcast and said he was seeking vengeance after a Scottsdale restaurant fight.

16 days ago

Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette looks on during Capital One's The Match IX at The Park West Palm...

Kevin Zimmerman

TNT analyst, former Coyotes winger Paul Bissonnette injured in Scottsdale assault

NHL on TNT analyst and former Phoenix Coyotes winger Paul Bissonnette was sent to the hospital after he was assaulted Sunday in Scottsdale.

17 days ago

Dylan Guenther #11 of Utah Hockey Club (L) scores a third period empty net goal against the Chicago...

Arizona Sports

Utah Hockey Club debuts in Salt Lake, Dylan Guenther scores twice in win over Blackhawks

Dylan Guenther and the Utah Hockey Club made a strong first impression in their new home with a win against the Chicago Blackhawks.

2 months ago

Tyson Nash responds to story about on-ice apology