Plenty of ‘pinch me’ moments for Wiesblatt

You may have a hard time rooting for the Nashville Predators — we’re looking at you, Winnipeg Jets fans — but how can you not cheer for Ozzy Wiesblatt?

His story is something else — a tale of triumph and tragedy.

It begins in Calgary, where his mother, Kim White, raised five children on her own while working multiple jobs to support their athletic pursuits. Every one of them played multiple sports. There were no silver spoons in this family.

“She gave up everything,” Wiesblatt said Friday following the Predators’ practice at Canada Life Centre as they prepared to face the Jets tonight.

“She did everything she could to let us follow our dreams. We are all so grateful for that and truly appreciate it.”

White’s sacrifices are even more remarkable considering she is deaf, a challenge that only added to the struggle of everyday life. American Sign Language became the primary way Ozzy and his siblings — brothers Ocean, Orca and Oasiz, and sister Oceania — communicated with her.

“We all see how hard Mom has worked and we don’t want to put it to waste,” said Wiesblatt. “A lot of tough days and things like that.”

When the San Jose Sharks selected him 31st overall in the 2020 NHL draft, they announced the pick in ASL to honour the feisty forward and his family.

After spending his first three years grinding it out in the minors, Wiesblatt finally got the call he’d been hoping for last January from the Predators, who had traded for him the previous summer. Fittingly, he introduced himself to fans prior to his NHL debut using ASL.

“I’m used to just being a regular kid. But you get to the NHL and now people look up to you. It’s a bit weird in a sense, but it’s also really cool,” said Wiesblatt, who played four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Prince Albert Raiders prior to turning pro in 2022.

“Now I’m seeing kids who can relate to our story, can relate to our upbringing. I will do my best to be the best role model I can.”

Wiesblatt, 23, recorded his first NHL assist in his fourth game against Seattle, appearing in one more contest before heading back to the AHL. More determined than ever to return, he trained hard this past summer and made the Predators out of a training camp that was filled with a flood of extreme emotions.

His youngest brother, Oasiz, signed an AHL deal with Nashville’s affiliate in Milwaukee and was invited to Predators’ camp. The 21-year-old had gone undrafted after five years in the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

“Just super cool. I see the work he’s put in, so to get an opportunity to play in a pre-season game was really special,” said Wiesblatt. “It’s small steps, and the first of many for him. I know he’s going to be working his butt off.”

What seemed like a dream scenario turned into a nightmare, however, when news came that their brother, Orca, died following a single-vehicle crash in British Columbia last month. The 25-year-old lost control and struck a light standard.

Orca had a connection to Manitoba, having helped the Portage Terriers of the MJHL capture the Turnbull Cup in 2019 alongside brother Ocean, who now plays in the Federal Prospects Hockey League. Orca also spent parts of four seasons with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL and was slated to play in the ECHL this season.

“It’s all been very surreal. I just try to compete as hard as I can every night, try to do the best I can to help this team get wins.”

“It’s tough. Still is tough. You go through everything as brothers and my brothers are my best friends,” said Wiesblatt.

“I can’t thank the Predators enough, all the way from the top to the guys in the locker room, for the unbelievable support. They’ve done everything they can to help me and be there for me.”

To that extent, there are still plenty of “pinch me” moments as he looks around the Nashville locker room, now sharing space with the likes of future Hall of Famers Steven Stamkos and Roman Josi.

After being a healthy scratch for the first three games, Wiesblatt made his season debut in Toronto on Tuesday and recorded a pair of assists.

“It’s all been very surreal. I just try to compete as hard as I can every night, try to do the best I can to help this team get wins,” said Wiesblatt, who is currently skating on the fourth line along with Cole Smith and Michael McCarron.

“It’s just one day at a time with me. I’m really just trying to enjoy this. You know, it’s an honour to be in the NHL. Every kid’s dream.”

AROUND THE GLASS

Sibling rivalry

Plenty of folks might be surprised by the sizzling start from Jets centre Morgan Barron, who has three goals and two assists through his first four games.

His younger brother, Justin, is not one of them.

“I see all the work he puts in during the summer and he really wants to take his game to the next level,” the 23-year-old Predators defenceman said Friday.

“Nice to see him to get rewarded on the scoresheet. He’s looked good, he’s looked confident. That’s nice to see. Hopefully he’ll cool off a bit (tonight) and then he can get hot again after that.”

Indeed, Justin will be trying to keep Morgan in check as the brothers face each other with their parents — who flew in Friday from their home in Nova Scotia — in the stands.

“The first time we played each other was really cool. Now it’s starting to feel a bit more normal, especially now that we’re in the same division. But it’s always special,” said Justin, who began his career with the Colorado Avalanche, played parts of four seasons in Montreal and is now in his second year with Nashville.

“He’s definitely got the size and weight advantage over me. I just have to try to keep my feet moving and try to stay in front of him.”

Growing pains

The Carolina Hurricanes have scored 19 goals in their first four games — all victories — yet their prized free-agent signing, former Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers, is still searching for his first point.

What gives?

It’s likely just a matter of time before the dam breaks for the dashing Dane who signed a six-year, US$51-million deal with Carolina in the off-season.

There’s no shortage of positive signs. Ehlers has already fired 13 shots on goal — third most on the team — and he’s been on the ice for six of Carolina’s goals. He’s averaging 16:50 of ice time per game, which is more than a minute higher than his average last season in Winnipeg.

Translation: The guy called “Fly” may soon be ready to take off.

Old friends

There’s been no adjustment period for Mason Appleton in the Motor City.

After signing a two-year, US$5.8-million deal with the Detroit Red Wings, Appleton has already chipped in three goals in his first four games — including a highlight-reel game-winner against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Appleton is no stranger to quick starts, but he’s been incredibly precise so far, converting three of his seven shots on goal for a shooting percentage of 42.9 that will be impossible to maintain but is impressive nonetheless.

Detroit makes its lone visit to Winnipeg on Jan. 24.

Brandon Tanev, meanwhile, has yet to register a point in his first four games with Utah. The energy winger, who signed a three-year, US$7.5-million deal makes his return to Winnipeg on Oct. 26 when the Mammoth visit the Jets.

Local flavour

Although it’s taking Ehlers some time to get going offensively, teammate and proud Winnipegger Seth Jarvis has picked up where he left off last season.

Jarvis, who knows he needs a strong start to ensure his inclusion on the Canadian Olympic team, already has five goals and seven points through four games with the Hurricanes. He’s been a high-volume shooter with 16 shots on goal and could threaten his career-high for goals (33), which was set during the 2023-24 campaign.

Jarvis isn’t the lone Manitoban that is off to a blazing start offensively, as Winnipegger and Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone has accumulated nine assists through five games and currently sits second in NHL scoring.

Five of those nine helpers have come on the power play — where the Golden Knights are clicking at 28.6 per cent to sit fourth in the NHL — one was shorthanded and the three assists have come at even strength.

The only guy with more points than Stone is frequent linemate Jack Eichel, whose five goals and 11 points have paced the offensive attack. Much like Jets left-winger Kyle Connor, Eichel is thrilled to have the negotiation behind him and an eight-year contract extension that kicks in next season, carries an AAV of US$13.5 million and takes him through 2034.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld