Ozzy Wiesblatt wasn’t expecting this moment to come so soon, and neither were his teammates. “To be honest, he probably should have about 10 goals already this year,” said teammate Steven Stamkos with a smile.
But on Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena, after a skillful pass from linemate Michael Bunting, Wiesblatt crashed the crease at 15:32 of the second period, and his first NHL goal finally arrived. The relief was palpable as Wiesblatt skated toward the Nashville bench, pointing skyward in a silent nod to someone very special.
In September, as Ozzy prepared for Nashville’s training camp and his younger brother, Oasiz, was at the NHL Prospect Tournament with the Preds prospects in Tampa, tragedy struck. Their older brother, Orca Wiesblatt, had died in a car accident back home in Canada.
Just days after traveling home to say goodbye, Ozzy returned to camp in Tampa and scored a preseason goal — an emotional milestone, but unofficial in the NHL record books. Fast forward to Tuesday, and in his 23rd game of the season, Ozzy finally found the back of the net in the regular season, which meant so much more.
“Just thinking, ‘It’s about time,’” Ozzy said afterward, holding the puck. “I’ve had so many chances this year, and I’ve been robbed a lot. It’s just a huge relief. That goal was for my brother. It’s a moment I’ve been thinking about for a while, and I finally got it.”
The team’s celebration reflected their awareness of what Ozzy and his family have endured. Coach Andrew Brunette said, “Seeing Ozzy score, especially with everything he’s been through, the bench erupted. It was probably our biggest celebration all year.”
Teammate Steven Stamkos, who recently reached his 1,200th NHL point, watched Ozzy’s moment with pride. “It was a very special moment in a tough year for their family. You could feel the energy on the bench. Ozzy continues to show his resilience, playing with speed, tenacity, and skill.”
Ozzy was also inspired by Stamkos’ milestone, calling his points “video game numbers” and expressing how proud he was to play alongside him. “It’s so cool to be on his team, especially tonight,” Ozzy said.
Earlier in the game, fellow rookie Reid Schaefer scored his first NHL goal and even fought for the first time. Ozzy followed with a scrap of his own, joking that he had to defend himself because his usual linemate, Michael McCarron, was injured.
“Honestly, I just got hit and wanted to defend myself,” Ozzy laughed. “Too bad ‘Big Mac’ wasn’t here — he’s always the one to save me. But I had to stand up for myself tonight.”
Ozzy’s journey has been extraordinary, especially given the recent loss of his brother Orca. His first NHL goal, dedicated to Orca, signifies a monumental moment in his life.
“I know my family’s proud,” Ozzy said. “They don’t have to tell me. My little brother Oasiz is doing great in Milwaukee, and I’m just trying to make everyone proud every day. My mom’s always watching — that’s all I care about. So many people have helped me get here, and I’m grateful for every bit of it.”
Ozzy Wiesblatt’s first NHL goal isn’t just a milestone — it’s a testament to resilience, family, and the power of perseverance in the face of tragedy.
