It all starts between the pipes. As a goalie myself, I may be a little biased, but without a quality goaltender in net, a hockey team isn't going to win a lot of games. Fortunately for the Sun Devils, they have one of the nation's best.

TJ Semptimphelter bucked family tradition by forgoing the football field for the hockey rink. After a breakout performance at the famous Beanpot Tournament while playing for Northeastern, TJ emerged as a hot commodity and transferred to Arizona State prior to last season. He immediately became the workhorse in goal, establishing himself as a foundational piece for the Sun Devils. That has continued into this season, where he has started each of ASU's first four games, winning all of them, including a season-opening win over No. 15 Merrimack. With the Sun Devils rising up in the polls, the future is bright in Tempe.

On this episode, TJ and I discuss his hockey journey, how a love of sports headgear landed him in goal, the joy of annihilating the Arizona Wildcats, what Being the Tradition means to him, establishing ASU as a hockey school, and more.