Hockey Welcomes Five Freshmen for 2021-22

TEMPE, Ariz. – Sun Devil Hockey announced their 2021 signing class, which includes five incoming freshmen for the 2021-22 season.
 
The group features three forwards and two defensemen, including Josh Doan, Jackson Niedermayer, Jack Jensen, Ethan Szmagaj and Ty Murchison.
 
"This freshmen class is incredibly talented and well balanced. We're very proud of the fact our program has both been able to adapt to the modern transfer landscape without jeopardizing the long term," said head coach Greg Powers. "This freshmen group has the ability top to bottom to make an instant impact and leave an unprecedented mark on our program."
 
2020-21 Signees
 
Josh Doan – 6'3", 180lbs
Forward ('02) – Scottsdale, AZ

 
The name should sound familiar to hockey fans, and especially those in Arizona as the son of former Coyote captain Shane Doan begins his college hockey career in the desert. Doan currently sits 3rd in the USHL in points with 65 in 50 games, including 27 goals with the Chicago Steel. The Scottsdale native grew up playing for the Jr. Coyotes locally, and is presumed to be taken in this summer's 2021 NHL Draft.
 
Jackson Niedermayer – 6'0", 194lbs
Forward ('01) – Newport Beach, CA

 
Son of NHL Hall of Famer and former Anaheim Duck Scott Niedermayer, Jackson verbally committed to ASU back in 2019 after time in California with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks program. After recording nearly a point per game in his second year in the BCHL with Penticton, Niedermayer suffered an injury just prior to the 2020-21 abbreviated BCHL season, and has focused on recovery.
 
Jack Jensen – 6'2", 205lbs
Forward ('00) – Eden Prairie, MN

 
From Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Jack Jensen comes in after two years with Omaha in the USHL. Most recently, he averaged over a point per game in his 12 games played. Back in 2019, he was awarded the Class AA Herb Brooks Award, which is annually given to the most qualified hockey player in the Minnesota state tournament who strongly represents the values, characteristics, and traits defined by Herb Brooks.
 
Ethan Szmagaj – 6'0", 195lbs
Defenseman ('01) – Canton, MI

 
Another Midwest import, Szmagaj has played his last three seasons in the USHL for the Waterloo Black Hawks. The 6-foot defenseman is from the same hometown as junior d-man Jacob Semik, and will be the fifth player to come in with Michigan ties. So far this season, Smagaj leads all Waterloo defensemen in scoring with 21 points in 40 games. He surpassed his three-year USHL best for points in a season as well as more goals than his last two seasons combined.
 
Ty Murchison
Defenseman ('03) – Corona, CA

 
Murchison had the rare opportunity to play against his future teammates earlier this season when the U.S. National Team Development Program visited Tempe for two exhibition matches. Murchison is the fourth former U.S. NTDP player to join the Sun Devils, joining d-man Josh Maniscalco and forwards James Sanchez and Sean Dhooghe. He is the first California native to commit to the program in the NCAA era.