Matt Zimmer

mzimmer@argusleader.com

With only a handful of returners from last year’s 34-19-7 team, the Stampede are counting on new faces to lead them back to the forefront of the USHL Western Conference standings.

Tyler Nanne technically is a returner – he played four games with the Herd after joining the team late last year – and he’s a primary candidate to take on a key role on the revamped Stampede.

The grandson of hockey Hall of Famer Lou Nanne and younger brother of the Lou Nanne, who played for the Stampede last year before heading to college at RPI, Nanne has a chance to be a major two-way contributor for this year for the Stampede.

He’s a defenseman, but the New York Rangers draft pick led the Herd with six points in their four preseason games. His production in preseason, brief taste of junior hockey late last season, and his strong hockey bloodlines have the Stampede optimistic he can be something special.

“He’s a guy who’s gonna get you on the edge of your seat,” said Stampede coach Cary Eades, whose team opened the season Saturday with an overtime loss to expansion Bloomington. “We really think he can make a big impact.”

Nanne’s grandfather Lou played 635 games in the NHL, all with the Minnesota North Stars, and later gained recognition as coach and general manager of that franchise. He also played a role in assembling the 1980 Miracle on Ice team. He’s helped shape Tyler’s career as well, insisting that the talented youngster stick with defense despite his goal-scoring abilities.

“I grew up playing defense, but after scoring a lot of goals I started playing some forward,” says Tyler Nanne, who played high school hockey at Edina. “But my grandpa sat me down and told me defense was the way to go. He said that I was born to be a defenseman, and that if I wanted to play in the NHL, that would give me my best chance.”

The Stampede certainly hope Nanne’s influence on the rush can be just as big as it is on the blue line. He’s got the potential to be an ace quarterback on the power play, coaches say. He gets high marks for his skating and has what’s described as a heavy shot – difficult to stop. He’s only 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, but he hasn’t shied away from contact.

“He’s an offenseman,” joked Eades, whose team visits Tri-City tonight and Sioux City on Saturday. “He has fantastic skills. His skating speed is phenomenal, has a wicked one-timer, and he can defend as well. We’re looking for him to add to our offense from the back end, but hopefully limit mistakes and make us sound in our own zone, too.”

Nanne sees the newcomer-heavy Stampede as a clean slate. He seems willing to take on a leadership role despite his limited experience, and knows that helping turn the Stampede into a Clark Cup contender will help him reach his individual goals.

He’ll be working with an all new set of defensemen – Nikolas Koberstein is another NHL draft pick, while Dillion Eichstadt, Clint Lewis, Joey Raats and Chaz Switzer are all blue liners the coaching staff has high hopes for. Still, Nanne has stood out so far.

“You can see he’s really going to help us a lot,” Koberstein said. “He’s got a lot of skills and he’s going to use them on both ends of the ice.”

Nanne already is committed to Ohio State, and was taken by the Rangers in the fifth round of the June draft. His brother had a positive experience in a Stampede sweater, and Tyler is eager to follow suit.

“Lou loved it here – the fans are great, the town’s great and we’ve got a bunch of new guys and a new rink,” said Tyler, who tallied seven goals and 20 assists in 25 games for Edina before joining the Herd last year.

“So there’s a lot of excitement going into the season. I played pretty well in the preseason and so did our team. If I can put the puck in the net a few times and make some good passes so that other guys can do it, too, hopefully that’ll lead to a really good season.”

STAMPEDE FACE-OFF

THIS WEEKEND: The Stampede (0-0-1) visit the Tri-City Storm at 7:30 tonight and the Sioux City Musketeers on Saturday at 7:05. Listen at KELO-AM 1320

HOME OPENER: Oct. 11 vs. Waterloo, 7:05, Sanford Premier Center