The temperature outside may still be over 100 degrees, but that's not the only place to feel the heat in Tempe. Fire will be found on the ice at Mullett Arena starting on October 3rd, and Coach Powers has assembled the roster that will look to build off last year's impressive debut in the NCHC in his 11th season behind the bench. Without any further ado, here's our first look at newcomers to the team:
Justin Kipkie (D)
One of six additions from the Canadian Hockey League, Justin comes to Tempe after three seasons with the Victoria Royals. He registered 36 goals and 111 assists for 147 points in 206 regular season games, adding another 3 goals and 16 assists in 15 playoff games. A Minnesota Wild draft pick this summer, Justin plays a very offensive-minded form of defense, possessing a powerful one timer from the point that will supplement an already strong offensive core.
Austin Zemlak (D)
Another new arrival from the Canadian Hockey League, Austin brings a career scoring line of 15 goals and 43 assists in 203 games with the Victoria Royals and Tri-City Americans, serving as an alternate captain in the 2024-25 season for Tri-City. A physical defenseman much like Ty Murchison, Austin's style of play is body check first, shoot second, always following a poke check with a shoulder check.
Richard Baran (D)
A native of Slovakia, Richard joins the Sun Devils after playing for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL in 2024-25, tallying 4 goals and 26 assists for 30 points. He also represented Slovakia at the 2025 World Junior Championships, appearing in 4 games during the tournament. A quick and shifty skater, Richard's ability to break through opposing forecheck will create endless opoprtunities in the offensive zone.
Lincoln Kuehne (D)
Mullett Arena will be familiar ground for Lincoln this fall, having appeared in a two game exhibition series last season for the U.S. National Team Development Program. Not known for his scoring (2 goals, 11 assists, 13 points in 88 games between the NTDP and USHL schedules), Lincoln developed into one of the most reliable blue-liners last season, and will likely slot in on the third defensive pairing.
Carmelo Crandell (F)
Carmelo comes to Tempe after two seasons with the Tri-City Storm of the USHL, scoring 20 goals and adding 44 assists to total 64 points in 111 games over two seasons. He nearly doubled his scoring output in his second season, and will further develop as a bottom-six center this fall.
Noah Powell (F)
Noah joins the Sun Devils as a transfer from Ohio State University, logging 17 games as a freshman before finishing the 2024-25 season with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. In 45 games between NCAA and OHL play he tallied 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points, using his creative stickhandling to open up offensive opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Sean McGurn (F)
A veteran of the Ontario Hockey League and USports, Sean arrives in Tempe after playing for the London Knights from 2019-2023, captaining the Knights to the OHL championship series where they lost to the Peterborough Petes.
He would go on to play two seasons at the University of New Brunswick, joining the Sun Devils with two seasons of eligibility remaining. A gifted scorer, Sean recorded 48 goals and 111 assists in 171 games in the OHL, adding 23 goals and 42 assists in 60 games with New Brunswick. His uncanny ability to rack up points will fill the void left by outgoing stars Ryan Kirwan and Artem Shlaine.
Johnny Waldron (F)
Johnny transfers in to Arizona State after three seasons with NCHC foe Miami (OH), posting a scoring line of 22 goals and 34 assists for 56 points in 93 games for the oft-struggling RedHawks. His leadership presence will prove incredibly valuable on this deep roster.
Logan Morrell (F)
A local product from Mesa, Logan returns home after playing his freshman season for the Michigan Tech Huskies of the CCHA. With 21 points to his credit (11 goals and 10 assists), Logan proved he was a worthy inclusion in Neutral Zone's Top 300 prospects for 2003-born skaters.
Ty Nash (F)
Another local product returning home, Ty brings more NHL bloodlines as the son of former Arizona Coyotes player and TV analyst Tyson Nash. Ty possesses above-average puck handling and agility, scoring 62 goals and adding 89 assists in 197 games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Winnipeg Ice, and Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League, serving as an alternate captain for both the Hurricanes and Oil Kings. He added 8 goals and 7 assists with the University of Alberta of USports last season, adding to the offensive potential up and down the roster.
Justin Cloutier (F)
Justin joins the Sun Devils after four seasons with the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, tallying 76 goals and 67 assists for 143 points in 272 games and serving as an alternate captain for the 2024-25 season. Speedy and agile, Justin's skating ability will keep teams gasping for breath after him.
Sam Alfano (F)
A true offensive juggernaut, Sam comes to Tempe after four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League between the Peterborough Petes and Erie Otters. In 258 games, Sam averaged a point in nearly 4 out of every 5 games, putting up 99 goals and 103 points for 202 points. Physically imposing at 6'4" and 205 lbs, Sam is a goaltender's worst nightmare when positioned in front of the net, but a sharpshooter when shooting from the outside.
Connor Hasley (G)
Arizona State needed to reinvest at the goaltender position after losing both Gibson Homer and Zakari Brice to the transfer portal in the offseason. Coach Powers recruited the best goaltender that nobody knew about from Bentley in Connor.
Guiding the Falcons to their first ever NCAA tournament appearance, Connor posted a 21-13-2 record, finishing top 10 in the nation with a 1.96 goals against average and 11th with a .925 save percentage. Most impressively however, he led the nation with 11 shutouts, the only goaltender in the nation to record double digit shutouts. As a senior, his time in the desert will be short, but he will provide an incredible guiding presence for our goaltending pipeline to come.
Samuel Urban (G)
Speaking of goaltending to come, the other half of the Devils' goaltending tandem joins his fellow countryman from Slovakia. In three seasons with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL, Samuel posted a 40-31-3 record with a 2.98 goals against average and .903 save percentage. He also represented Slovakia at the 2025 World Junior Championships, going 2-2 in the tournament. While Hasley will get the bulk of the time in net this season, Urban will get his time to develop into the goalie of the future starting in the 2026-27 season.
Ben Kevan (F)
A second round draft pick (No. 63 overall) by the New Jersey Devils this past June, expectations are high for the youngster from Fairfield, CA. A teammate of Richard Baran with the Des Moines Buccaneers, his speed and creativity helped him record 37 goals and 63 assists in 110 games, good for nearly a point per game average. He also comes with international experience, playing alongside Cullen Potter at the 2025 U18 World Championships that saw Team USA take home the bronze medal. He looks to be all but a lock to be a second line winger this season for the Sun Devils.
Braxton Whitehead (F)
Our final newcomer was the first player to make the jump from Canadian juniors to NCAA, setting off the frenzy that culminated in Gavin McKenna's highly anticipated commitment to season-opening opponent Penn State. In just over four full seasons with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League, Braxton was a consistent offensive weapon, tallying 46 goals and 70 assists in 254 games, serving as an alternate captain from 2022-2025. With offensive playmakers all over the roster, there will be no shortage of scoring for the Devils this season.
Returning Players
The Sun Devils have 11 returning players that will complete the roster this season, giving a strong leadership core to open the season.
Arizona State's first ever first-round draft pick Cullen Potter (No. 32 overall, Calgary Flames) headlines this year's returnees, joined by defensemen Joel Kjellberg, Anthony Dowd, Tucker Ness, Sam Court, and Brasen Boser; forwards Cruz Lucius and Tony Achille; goaltender Chase Hamm; and co-captain forwards Kyle Smolen and Bennett Schimek. The remaining captains have yet to be announced, but my top candidates to wear letters on their sweaters this season are Cullen Potter and Tucker Ness,.
The future is bright for the Sun Devils. Coming off a better than expected debut in the NCHC last season, the Devils will boast 5 NHL draftees on opening night in Cullen Potter (2025, Calgary Flames), Ben Kevan (2025, New Jersey Devils), Cruz Lucius (2022, Pittsburgh Penguins), Noah Powell (2024, Philadelphia Flyers), and Justin Kipkie (2025, Minnesota Wild). No longer overlooked in the NCHC, the Devils will be hard at work to bring the Penrose Cup and NCHC Championship Trophy to Tempe this season.
Just 40 days stand between us and the opening puck drop. Stay tuned here throughout the season for all news and updates on the team. As always, Forks Up and Be The Tradition!