Story by
Ozzy Wiesblatt is Nashville Predators' nominee for Masterton Trophy
- Story by
- Ozzy Wiesblatt is Nashville Predators' nominee for Masterton Trophy
Ozzy Wiesblatt is Nashville Predators' nominee for Masterton Trophy
Nashville Predators winger Ozzy Wiesblatt has been nominated for the 2026 Masterton Trophy , as selected by the Nashville chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
The Masterton Trophy is awarded annually to "the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey."
Advertisement
Each NHL team submits a Masterton nominee; one winner is selected, as judged by all PHWA chapters at the end of the season.
Wiesblatt, 26, has played in 39 games for the Predators this season after starting the season with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals. He has scored one goal and added four assists while playing just over 10 minutes per game.
Here's the full bio of Wiesblatt submitted along with his nomination:
Ozzy Wiesblatt grew up with challenges few others face. As a CODA (child of deaf adult), he, his three brothers Orca, Oasiz, and Ocean, and sister Oceania, first learned sign language, and their mother Kim put them in sports to further develop their English and communication skills. In September, the Wiesblatts suffered tragedy no family can prepare for. In training camp with the Predators, Ozzy learned of the sudden death of older brother Orca, a forward with the Allen Americans (ECHL). After his brother's death, Ozzy left camp with the team's blessing to mourn with his family. Wiesblatt persevered. He returned to the Predators that same month and made the opening night roster. That led to a powerful moment on Dec. 2 playing against his hometown Calgary Flames. After Ozzy scored his first NHL goal, he pointed to the sky, remembering his late brother. "That was for (Orca)," he said.
Advertisement
Last season, the PHWA's Nashville chapter nominated Nick Blankenburg for the Masterton Trophy. The award went to Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan.
Former forward Steve Sullivan won the Masterton in 2009, the only Predators player to win the award to date.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com . Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1 . Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds .
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predators winger Ozzy Wiesblatt nominated for Masterton Trophy
