Nashville, TN – For Ozzy Wiesblatt, December 2nd, 2025, was a night etched in both joy and remembrance. The Nashville Predators rookie scored his first NHL goal in a 5-1 victory against the Calgary Flames, his hometown team, at Bridgestone Arena. The goal, scored at 15:32 of the second period, wasn't just a personal milestone but a tribute to his late brother, Orca, who tragically passed away in a car accident in September 2025.
Wiesblatt, 23, was drafted 31st overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Egor Afanasyev on June 23, 2024. Wiesblatt made his NHL debut with the Predators in January 2025. After several games and numerous chances, his first goal finally arrived. As linemate Michael Bunting passed the puck, Wiesblatt crashed the crease and buried it into the net.
The emotional weight of the moment was evident as Wiesblatt immediately pointed towards the sky in honor of Orca. "It's a relief for me," Wiesblatt told reporters after the game. "I thought about pointing to the sky for my brother for a while now, and just a cool feeling. Obviously, that one's for him."
The Predators' bench erupted in celebration, recognizing the significance of the goal for Wiesblatt and his family. Coach Andrew Brunette noted that the team's reaction was more intense than usual for a typical regular-season goal. Teammate Steven Stamkos said, “To be honest, (Ozzy) probably should have about 10 [goals already] the way he's played this year,”. Stamkos, who also celebrated his 1,200th career point that night, acknowledged the importance of contributions from younger players like Wiesblatt and Reid Schaefer, who also scored his first NHL goal in the same game.
The Wiesblatt family has a unique and inspiring story. Raised in Calgary by their deaf mother, Kim White, Ozzy and his brothers, Ocean, Orca, and Oasiz, overcame numerous obstacles to pursue their hockey dreams. Kim White worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for her sons, and all four have played hockey at high levels. Oasiz currently plays for the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL, alongside Ozzy at times. Orca had signed a contract with the ECHL's Allen Americans before his untimely passing.
The loss of Orca Wiesblatt in September deeply affected the family and the hockey community. Ozzy returned to training camp shortly after the tragedy and scored a pre-season goal, an emotional moment that foreshadowed the significance of his first official NHL goal.
Wiesblatt's journey to the NHL is a testament to his perseverance, his family's support, and his dedication to honoring his brother's memory. His first NHL goal was more than just a statistic; it was a symbol of resilience and a tribute to a life lost too soon.
