Pucks, Planes And Parachutes: How Tyus Sparks Became A 2026 NHL Draft Prospect
There are countless stories of second-generation hockey players following in their parents' footsteps, but Tyus Sparks has a different origin.
Yes, he comes from an athletic background, but his dad, Nate Sparks, was a college football quarterback at Boise State who played pro for the CFL's B.C. Lions. The Sparks family resides in Idaho, so Tyus' journey is one of the most unique in the 2026 NHL draft class, where he is projected to go top-75 this summer.
And let's get the wild part out of the way right off the top: in order to play better competition, Sparks would fly from Boise to L.A. to play games for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings every weekend, starting at the age of 10. By 12, he was flying on his own.
Back in Boise, Nate watched YouTube videos of Connor McDavid training, but he also relied on his own elite athletic background to work his kids the right way.
"One of the things I always like to tell my kids – and I took it from the movie Miracle – is that the legs feed the wolf," Nate said. "You can't do anything without your legs. You have to work out."
The suite of exercises included band and cable work, burpees, ropes and plyometrics such as box jumps. But also flipping tractor tires and a fiendishly genius setup wherein the kids would sprint in their rollerblades while wearing parachutes.
"I tried to have them do it on the windiest days," Nate said. "And they'd be skating uphill, about 150, 200 yards down the street. When I was growing up playing football, the coaches would drive you into the ground. It was rough. I kept the same attitude with my kids, because if it's rough now, it's going to be easier when you're playing in games."
Clearly, it paid off: Makhai played in the NAHL, while Tyus just completed his second season in the WHL. Getting traded to Spokane meant that Tyus' family could see him live more often, and this summer in Buffalo, they will find out where his NHL future lies at the draft.
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While he needs to get more consistent on the ice, Sparks has a great sense of his strengths and who to watch to continue honing those skills.
"I like to watch Dylan Guenther and Jack Eichel," he said. "It was cool seeing them playing each other in the playoffs. Both have great shots, great playmaking ability and great skating ability."
Sparks plans on being back in the WHL next year, where Spokane will have a nice young core ready to take the next step. And if they ever need advice on flights, they know who to turn to.
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This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 11:26 AM.