Wiesblatt introduces himself to Predators fans using sign language before NHL debut

Ozzy Wiesblatt said hello to Nashville Predators fans in a special way.

The forward used sign language to introduce himself before his NHL debut in a video posted by the Predators on Friday.

Wiesblatt said and signed that his mother, who is Deaf, taught him ASL and that it was his first language.

On Thursday, the rookie forward was recalled by the Predators from their AHL team, the Milwaukee Admirals. He joined the Predators on Friday before their game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.

During warmups, Wiesblatt gifted his mom a puck over the glass. She blew him a kiss and held up the puck in excitement.

His mother worked multiple jobs to afford all four of her sons playing hockey.

The Predators sent their own well wishes to Wiesblatt before his rookie lap.

“The advice I’d give is to soak it up and enjoy it,” defenseman Luke Schenn said in a video posted by the team. “You’re supposed to be nervous, excited, emotional, everything in one.”

Wiesblatt was picked 20th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2020 NHL Draft. The forward was traded to the Predators in June and signed a two-year, two-way deal in November. He has 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists) in 27 games with the Admirals this season.