A relationship worth fighting for Tyson Nash is known as an in-your-face hockey player on the ice, but off the ice he's fighting for God. by Heather Carroll     Have you ever wanted to be disliked? Could you imagine pursuing, with tremendous energy, the goal of being the biggest nuisance imaginable and then make a career of it? Now imagine your boss giving you the thumbs up for every person you enrage!     Still can’t picture it? Shove your feet into a pair of Tyson Nash’s skates and hit the ice during the next game the St. Louis Blues play. During his rookie year last season, Nash found his niche on the team: the ultimate pest. His mere presence on the ice is enough to send the other team into the penalty box.   “At the start of the year my coach, Joel Queneville, said, ‘You have to be the most hated guy in the league by the end of the year,’ ” recalls Nash, 25. “My role is to be an energy guy who goes out there and finishes all his checks.”   This hitting and pounding old-school hockey is physically demanding, requiring 100 per cent effort on Nash’s part game in, game out, no exceptions. Fortunately, playing the aggravator is a talent that comes naturally to Nash.   “He was always a little pest,” jokes mother Wendy Nash. “[He was] always getting in his brother’s face and teasing other kids.”   Born in Edmonton, Nash played hockey in the Sherwood Park leagues. At 13-years-old he was scouted by the Kamloops Blazers. After winning three Memorial Cups with the team, Nash was drafted by Vancouver Canucks. He was assigned to their top farm team, the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League. During the end of his three year stint there, Nash was sent to the East Coast League to play in a lower division. He lasted six games and was released.   “I was pretty heartbroken,” recalls Nash. “I was wondering what I could have done better and what I did that was so bad that someone wouldn’t have wanted me.”   Being let go from a team is a low point for any aspiring hockey player, but going down the NHL ladder once you have been close enough to taste it can be devastating. Instead of throwing in the towel and walking away, Nash leaned heavily on the support of his family and a deep faith in God. With the dream of playing in the NHL flickering weakly in the distance all the Nash family could do was pray.   “I don’t think there was a time they [Tyson’s family] ever stopped praying,” comments Nash. “The biggest thing that kept me going was having faith ... I owe a lot to God.”   With his dream yanked out from under his skates, Nash decided to seek the help of God and others. “I used to always try to do things on my own. I’d say I don’t need God’s help, I don’t need my wife’s help,” states Nash. “That’s when things turned around ... I just gave everything up to God.”   Nash’s career quickly changed gears when St. Louis, seeing some unused talent, scooped the winger up. It was an answer to prayer.   Now in his second year with the Blues, Nash continues to work hard stay in the big leagues. The reality for Nash is knowing that, although he lacks the offensive skills to be a Gretzky, he still can have an important role on the team and impact the game (not to mention a few bodies along the way).   “It’s a hard role to do every night. I wouldn’t want people to think that I’m like that off the ice,” says Nash. “I think that I’m a good guy, a family man who has strong beliefs in the Lord.”   For the moment Nash’s life and career are gliding right along; every game is a gift from God. In a few short months he and wife, Kathy, will be expecting their first child. What about the future? Although he recently signed a three-year contract with the Blues, Nash’s stint in the NHL could vanish in a moment.   “I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t worry me,” comments Nash. “I think that’s where faith comes in. Everything is in God’s hands and He has a purpose for me.”   For Nash there’s more to life than hockey. What fans see on the ice is a hard-working player with speed, guts and an invisible coat of armour as he tears off full steam after the puck, letting nothing get in his way.   Yes, he’s a major pain in the opponents backsides (or ribs). Yes, he’s out there to aggravate the other team, getting under their skin until they land themselves in the penalty box. And yes! There is another side to Tyson Nash ... one that might surprise a few hockey fans out there.   “As great as it is to be a professional athlete, it really means nothing in the end,” concludes Nash. “A relationship with God is what it’s all about and that’s what it comes down to in the end.” [LLN-Online] [Adopt-a-Block] [Newsbriefs][Event Calendar] [Lifestyles] [Juke Box] [Cover to Cover] [Movieguide][Casting the Net] [Viewpoints] [General Info] [Rates & Sizes][Marketplace/Classifieds] [Volunteer Ops] [Writing Guidelines] [Contact Us] [Subscribe][Archives][Good News] [About Us][Links]