(Photo courtesy of Jonathan Kozub)

Zach Nehring, who experienced the exhilaration of being drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the third round last summer in Nashville, eagerly anticipated his debut season with the Sioux Falls Stampede in the United States Hockey League. However, he encountered initial challenges following a sluggish beginning.

Nehring expressed, during the Jets development camp earlier this month, that it was definitely quite an experience. Moving into a new league meant facing tougher competition and unfamiliar faces. Adapting to a new arena was also a challenge. Unfortunately, things took a turn when Nehring suffered a severe concussion 10 games into the season, causing him to miss approximately two months of play.

I didn’t resume my activities until after Christmas. The initial ten games were a period of adaptation, but I felt that in the last 15-20 games, I was finally performing in the way I desired myself to be.

The now 19-year-old had an incredibly frustrating experience, particularly due to the concussion he endured at the end of November. This incident prevented Nehring from taking advantage of a crucial period to familiarize himself with both a new league and new teammates.

Nehring expressed, “The initial 10-20 games are the period where you acclimate and find your comfort zone. Unfortunately, that was abruptly interrupted for me.”

The mental strain of dealing with my intense headaches was incredibly challenging. I found myself spending most of my time alone in a dark room, trying to alleviate the pain. However, I’m thankful that my condition eventually healed, and I haven’t experienced any problems since. I’m just relieved to have made it through the year.

Nehring faced a few challenges during his recovery process, such as being separated from his teammates and the constant temptation to return prematurely. However, the individual from Minot now believes that he has overcome all obstacles related to his injury and is fully prepared for the upcoming season.

Nehring stated that the mental aspect was likely one of the most significant challenges. It was evident that he had ongoing problems in his neck due to being struck with a stick. Consequently, he had to dedicate additional effort during the summer to ensure proper care, primarily focusing on preventive measures.

Since using it, I have noticed a significant improvement and have not encountered any problems. I am extremely thankful for this and have been giving it my all. Of course, if any issues arise, I will take necessary precautions, but overall, it has been a positive experience.

Despite not being able to physically be with his teammates and coaching staff, Nehring found solace in knowing that he wasn’t completely isolated. His twin sister was conveniently attending college in Sioux Falls, and he also had the support of Jets director of player development, Jimmy Roy, just a phone call away.

Nehring expressed gratitude towards Jimmy for being extremely helpful. He emphasized that Jimmy’s personal experience with multiple concussions, particularly from playing at the professional level, made him knowledgeable about how to navigate such situations. Nehring acknowledged that dealing with concussions is undeniably challenging, and many individuals, particularly those who have not experienced it, struggle to comprehend the associated feelings and necessary approaches.

The workload is quite substantial, and most of it is done independently without much support or company. The only people you can really count on are your parents, and particularly Jimmy, who has been immensely helpful to me. I am extremely grateful to have him on my side.

For the 2024-25 season, Nehring has transitioned from the USHL to college hockey. This upcoming fall, he is set to embark on his inaugural season with Western Michigan University.

Nehring expressed his anticipation for starting college next year, acknowledging the increased scale and presence of more mature individuals. However, he believes he is prepared for the transition. He mentioned that the summer training has been beneficial, as it allows him to gauge his abilities by working alongside older individuals in the weight room.

My main priority is to become stronger and develop my physique. I am eagerly looking forward to playing for Pat Ferschweiler and the Broncos this year. It’s going to be an exhilarating team with many young players, and I am curious to witness how it unfolds. I am prepared to challenge myself each day.