Predators' Cole O'Hara describes 'surreal' NHL debut, first point with Steven Stamkos
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Predators' Cole O'Hara describes 'surreal' NHL debut, first point with Steven Stamkos
Alex Daugherty, Nashville Tennessean·The Tennessean
·
2 min read
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It took Cole O'Hara just 10 minutes to record his first NHL point.
Midway through the first period in theNashville Predators'season finale on April 16, O'Hara forced a turnover in theAnaheim Duckszone, then passed toSteven Stamkosin the left circle. Stamkos fired a quick wrist shot byVille Hussoto tie the game, giving O'Hara his first NHL assist.
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"A really cool experience, something I'll remember for a long time," O'Hara told reporters at Bridgestone Arenaafter the 5-4 loss. "It was nice to have Stamkos put that one in."
For Stamkos, it was business as usual − his 632rd goal and his 1,253rd NHL point. But he recognized the moment, celebrating with O'Hara on the ice.
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
A shot from Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg lands in the net for a goal past Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso (33) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Anaheim Ducks left wing Alex Killorn (17) works the puck past Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly (90) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) and goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defend against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators right wing Cole O'Hara (19) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators right wing Joakim Kemell (25) battles Anaheim Ducks defenseman Tristan Luneau (67_during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
A shot from Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier lands in the net past Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) for a goal during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators with center Ryan Poehling (25) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso (33) defends against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators defenseman Kevin Gravel (5) and goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defend against Anaheim Ducks left wing Jeffrey Viel (28) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
A catfish is removed from the ice before a game between the Nashville Predators and the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators right wing Cole O'Hara (19) skates before his first NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
1/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
1/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
2/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
3/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
A shot from Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg lands in the net for a goal past Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso (33) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
4/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Anaheim Ducks left wing Alex Killorn (17) works the puck past Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly (90) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
5/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) and goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defend against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
6/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators right wing Cole O'Hara (19) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
7/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators right wing Joakim Kemell (25) battles Anaheim Ducks defenseman Tristan Luneau (67_during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
8/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
9/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
10/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
A shot from Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier lands in the net past Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) for a goal during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
11/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators with center Ryan Poehling (25) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
12/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso (33) defends against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
13/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators defenseman Kevin Gravel (5) and goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defend against Anaheim Ducks left wing Jeffrey Viel (28) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
14/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
A catfish is removed from the ice before a game between the Nashville Predators and the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
15/15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators right wing Cole O'Hara (19) skates before his first NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
"It was really cool to experience that and be part of the history of his career," Stamkos said.
O'Hara, who scored 19 goals and 25 assists in 65 games with the AHL's Admirals this season, was recalled from Milwaukee earlier in the day. With thePredatorsdealing with several injuries at forward, O'Hara found out after morning skate he'd be making his NHL debut. He also learned he'd be playing on the top line with Stamkos and Ryan O'Reilly.
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"Kind of a surreal moment, I just wanted to make the most of it," O'Hara said. "Embrace it and stay in the moment. I think I did a good job of that tonight."
O'Hara signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Predators in April 2025 after a three-year collegiate career at UMass. He was originally selected by Nashville in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft.
A 6-foot, 187-pound right-handed winger, O'Hara was impressive against the Ducks. He had one assist, one shot, and two hits in 11:23, plus a few moments where he showcased his best asset: speed and vision with the puck.
"It's definitely a lot faster," O'Hara said of the elevated level of play in the NHL. "The (defensemen) are moving up the ice fast, they move the puck quick. So lots of adjustments for me, but I just tried to embrace it."
His plan over the summer is to learn from this experience, build on it, and use it to help his chances in training camp.
"Just take what I've learned from (O'Reilly), who did a lot of talking to me tonight, and (Stamkos). Listen to what they have to say and come in next year and prove my (roster) spot."
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
