by Chris Faber | AHL On The Beat
It was a sunny afternoon last March 16 when the Abbotsford Canucks were ahead Tristen Nielsen he was given a puppy and told to bring it in as the team was helping to promote the dogs of the Heart and Soul Dog & Cat Rescue Society that were to be adopted.
The goal was to have the players check in with the dogs as the Canucks’ social media team took pictures of them to post and help raise awareness for dogs in need of a forever home.
Meanwhile, Nielsen’s fiancee, Sarahthey discuss that they want to have a puppy to grow up with their newborn daughter, Taytumwho was born a month earlier.
As Nielsen approached the morning skate, he saw a social media crew holding a puppy that immediately drew him in.
“I didn’t even say hello, I just said, ‘Oh my God, whose dog is that?'” Nielsen recalled. And they told me that it is mine to carry. He was quiet and relaxed. He was such a sweet dog, and I remember coming home and there was a picture on Instagram that my fiancé saw. As soon as I walked in the door, he asked me if we were going to pick up the dog.”
Not even a week later they went to see a puppy and came home with their beautiful furry baby Oakleybecomes a family of four.
“I’m a big believer in adopting a dog in need,” said Nielsen. “You can save a dog’s life or save it from being in the pound. It’s great, and I recommend that people embrace it if they have the opportunity to do so.”
Nielsen remembers having the opportunity to help raise funds for dog adoptions while playing in the Western Hockey League with the Calgary Hitmen. He mentioned that he has always loved dogs and wants to continue supporting programs such as the Abbotsford Canucks’ Top Dogs night.
Between their baby girl and their four-legged friend, Nielsen and his fiancee are incredibly happy with how their family is progressing.
“We’ve almost reached the American dream,” Nielsen said with a laugh. “It was so fun to see them both grow up. My girls are best friends now and Oakley is always around my daughter when she crawls. It looks like they are sitting next to each other.
When my daughter is doing something, Oakley is usually there.
“This has been the best year of my life,” he continued, smiling. “Getting engaged, having a baby, getting a puppy, even coming back to Abbotsford and continuing to play with this organization – it’s been great. Everything about my life is where I want it to be. Obviously, you can always get better and level up, but I’m happy where I am and I want to keep working on my hockey. But I am very grateful to have a family to support you.”
Those who watch Nielsen play know that his style is endlessly aggressive and his game looks like that even when he is wearing a skirt. His great coach Manny Malhotra loves the energy Nielsen brings on the ice and in the weight room with his teammates.
“He is in the middle of everything, which is very much his personality,” said Malhotra. “He is very popular with his colleagues and is a person of high quality. He is caring and very easy to talk to. From a developmental standpoint, as far as a hockey player is concerned, he’s the type of guy who wants to be given negative and positive feedback. He’s just a great person to be around.”
Malhotra had a long career that saw him win the Calder Cup and play 991 games in the National Hockey League. The Abbotsford bench boss, 44, and father of four, now gets the chance to see his players change their lives away from the rink just as he did while playing.
“I’m always very happy when boys have children,” said Malhotra. “There’s an aspect of being a father, and that’s a big stage in life. Your views on sleep, training, and health in general change when you have children. Watching these young men grow into parents and adults while at the same time managing their game is an exciting experience as a coach.
“I found that the result of having children in the boys’ game is usually good. You get a different purpose to play. You get a different level of engagement with the purpose of your game.”
Nielsen has found that new perspective and owes it to his daughter, his fiancee, and his furry friend Oakley. As he continues his fourth season in the AHL with the Abbotsford Canucks, his home life is secure.
And while it can be chaotic at times, Nielsen wouldn’t want it any other way. He loves his girls and knows that no matter what happens at the rink, they will be happy to see him when he gets home.
