Joe Tyran arrived at the Air Force Academy hoping to make an impact right away.

The defenseman’s plans were derailed by a season-ending knee injury in the Falcons’ exhibition game in October 2017. Tyran spent the next year rehabbing and acclimating to Academy life.

This season, he’s been in and out of the lineup and had to play both defense and forward for the injury-ravaged Falcons. But through it all the former Team Illinois and Bismarck Bobcats player had kept an upbeat attitude and relished the opportunities is receiving to learn and grow.

He graciously took time this week to talk about these topics and many more with The Flight Path.

You’ve had to move around the lineup this season, playing both defense and forward. How have those transitions gone?

I’m waiting for them to call me up to goalie. I don’t mind it at all. I have the mentality that whatever position they put me at I’m ready to play and try my best for the team.

Never playing forward until this season has opened my eyes to new things in the game. It’s nice to see both side of the puck. I’ve appreciated the opportunity, which is how I look at it. … It’s fun, I’ve enjoyed.

How did your recovery from a knee injury go and what was the ramp-up like for this season after missing all of your freshman season?

It was tough going through that injury. It was probably one of the toughest things I’ve ever gone through. It took a mental toll on me. The build-up toward this season was crazy. Not only getting crutches, then running and cutting, then back to heavy lifting was quite a progression to go through. Then being able to skate and play competitively again was like the greatest thing ever after such a long break from hockey, a full year, which I never thought would happen. It let me appreciate the game a lot more. Finally getting out there. I always felt like I was a part of the team, but not really because there’s nothing like being out on the ice and contributing that way. Being able to play this season has been a real treat for me.

When you decided to come to the Academy, what influenced that decision?

No one in my immediate family has been in the military. I never really knew about the Academy prior to my senior year of high school. Frank came up to me and gave me his card. I did some research. Honestly it wasn’t until I came to visit and met some of the guys, met the coaches that I really wanted to come here. The people really made the difference for me. The team is family oriented, everyone has been really welcoming. … Plus getting a rock-solid education, getting to be around world-class athletes and students were a couple of factors.

Who have been some of the big hockey influences?

Booder’s (captain Dylan Abood) been a big influence on me. Also I got a chance to get really close with Tyler Rostenkowski and (former captain) Johnny Hrabovsky last year. Tyler came in, didn’t play his freshman year. Then played 14 games in sophomore year. He’s been my closest mentor going through this process. I was expecting to have a huge year, get tons of ice time. But that doesn’t always happen. He’s been there to talk through things and the process he went to. You’ve just got to deal with the cards you’ve dealt and keep working hard. The one thing I took away from the past year is you can only really control your effort and your attitude, so I’ve been focusing on that and seeing where things go from there. … Hockey isn’t only about the game, but it’s about life – (coach) Frank (Serratore) says it all the time.

What have your favorite parts of Academy life been so far?

I’ve never been closer with a group of people than I have been with these guys. I came in as kind of a shy guy, more reserved. These guys have gotten me to open up and have more fun. Obviously, playing hockey. I how everything is scheduled and being busy. I like learning leadership and this is a learning laboratory. I’m around all these creative students and professors. It allows me to feed off them. It’s been really fun getting to meet new people. Being in Colorado, I like hiking and biking and fishing and all that stuff so this is a perfect place for me.

Did you have a favorite team or player you had growing up?

I watched a lot of the Blackhawks. I’ve been a fan since Day 1. My dad brought me to all the games. I watched a lot of Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Those are my role models from back in the day.

Did you play for a club in the Chicago area?

I mainly played for Team Illinois. We played Mission, Chicago Fury and a lot in Detroit. I played a little bit for CYA (Chicago Young Americans).

What is the breakfast of champions?

You’ve got to start your day off right. I like my sleep, so I guess the best breakfast would be one that I don’t have to wake up early for. I like a good hearty bowl of oatmeal. I like my fruit so I’ll usually grab an apple or a banana. A yogurt is an easy option. It’s a label, but a good bowl of Wheaties is a good breakfast for champions.

Are you particular about any of your gear?

I like my skates’ edges sharp. I check them before every practice. I consider them the foundation of everything. My skates are my prized possession. I’m sure a lot of people say sticks, but I just put tape on them for a little bit of traction.

If you had to nominate someone from the Falcons to be president, who would it be?

I have to think about it a little bit. I’m sure an easy get out would be to go with Booder. I think Tyler Ledford would be a good candidate. He’s got some cool ideologies and ways of thinking I like. He seems to get the big picture.

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