Editor's Note: Devils in Detail strives to offer the very best coverage of all things Sun Devil athletics, and few programs have had as much success in recent years as Arizona State's hockey team. Today, we welcome a new writer - and ice aficionado - to our team. Please give a warm welcome to Tom Hardon.
I am incredibly excited to join the team here at Devils in Detail as a contributor and expert on our Sun Devil Hockey team!
My hockey fandom dates back to my early years in Connecticut. My parents took me to a New Haven Nighthawks game when I was just a toddler. I don't remember much of that game, nor did I last very long before having enough, but that didn't stop my dad from his goal of raising me as a hockey fan. He ultimately succeeded starting in 1995, when we had season tickets to Yale University for four seasons. Upon moving to Arizona in 1999, we fell in love with the Coyotes and continued our newfound tradition of hockey together, ultimately seeing one game of any level together for 25 straight years.
When the NHL lockout canceled the entire 2004-05 season, we looked anywhere we could to satisfy our need for the game. Eventually, we discovered that Arizona State had a club hockey team. We took that opportunity and followed them seemingly anywhere they would play - whether it be Oceanside Ice Arena, North Scottsdale, Peoria - we fully embraced Sun Devil hockey. Even in my college years at NAU, we would plan hockey weekends around when the Sun Devils would come north to take on the Lumberjacks.
When Mullett Arena was announced and season ticket deposits were being taken, I knew that I had to return the favor and ensure that we would be Day 1 season ticket holders in the new arena. With the departure of the Coyotes entering Year 3, I saw the void in hockey coverage and independently started covering the team from my seat in Section 106.
With the program's first season in the NCHC complete, my first season covering the team has taken on quite the evolution. I will be bringing roster and schedule news throughout the offseason, previewing the team that Coach Powers will lead in the chase for the Penrose Cup and a berth in the NCAA tournament. As the season gets underway, I will preview every series, giving in depth stats and injury updates on both the Devils and our opponents, and produce individual game recaps. Additionally, I provide a broader look at the national college hockey landscape, diving into the Pairwise rankings and breaking down the implications for the Sun Devils on a weekly basis.
The 2024-25 season was a benchmark season for the Devils, and I can't wait to bring you all the news moving forward! Forks Up and Be The Tradition!