“From where he was five years ago to where he is now..finally getting called up… we’re just so proud of him and its awesome seeing how proud his family is of him,” said Ambrose. “His Mom and his brothers said that if one of them were to ever play a game in the NHL, it would be such a dream come true and now that’s happened.”
Wiesblatt has a sister and three brothers. All of the boys played hockey. Oasiz is currently the captain for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL. Orca played for the Calgary Hitmen and is now a part of the independent Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) along with the eldest brother Ocean. A few year’s ago, the family’s story was shared on Sportsnet’s ‘Home Town Heroes.’ Mom Kim White was born deaf and struggled financially as a single parent, but sacrificed so her boys could continue to play hockey. Prior to his NHL debut, Wiesblatt introduced himself to Nashville Predators fans in a video using American Sign Language (ASL) as a tribute to his Mom.
“His family didn’t have much growing up. His mom worked multiple jobs, and they had other families that helped out, you know driving Ozzy and his brothers to hockey and going to their friend’s houses for meals. So, just to grow up like that without having the things that most kids have, it’s such a special story for him to make it to where he is now,” said Ambrose. “When he lived with us, he was so grateful and his family would come and stay often and they became part of our family too.”
Wiesblatt got the call up New Year’s Eve and was quoted in a Canadian Hockey League article saying he ‘just broke down, crying like a baby and it was hilarious.’
“But yeah, just super excited to be here, honestly. It’s a dream come true,” he said.
Wiesblatt will hope to stay in the lineup and make an impact at the NHL level with the Predators. He joins a list of former teammates during his time with the Prince Albert Raiders who also currently play or have played in the NHL including Kaiden Guhle, Zack Hayes, Brayden Pachal, Aliaksei Protas, Noah Gregor, Brett Leason, Nolan Allan and Parker Kelly.
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Teena.Monteleone@pattisonmedia.com
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