Chad Nehring spent his high school years like many other young athletes: balancing a mixture of sports. He played for the football team at Yorkton Regional High School, and also played some hockey on the side. But he admitted football was his passion.
This was the case until an injury prevented him from playing football. Torn ligaments in his ankle left him unable to play in his cleats, but his skates acted as a brace so he could continue playing hockey.
Looking back, that injury may have been a blessing in disguise for the forward, forcing his focus from football to hockey.
“The injury put the real fate in why I play hockey,” Nehring said.
Nehring was a member of the Yorkton Terriers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for three seasons, from 2004 until 2007. He then moved on to college hockey at Lake Superior State University, and continued to move up in the leagues through the Canadian Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League, and the American Hockey League (AHL).
But it doesn’t stop there.
On July 1, Nehring was in Australia when his phone rang at 4:00 a.m. It was his agent telling him he’d gotten an offer for a two-way contract with the Ottawa Senators.
Nehring said after looking over the offer with his brother, they agreed that it wasn’t an offer they should pass up.
The contract holds an annual value of $600,000 in the NHL and $125,000 in the AHL.
“It looked like the best scenario. We looked through the roster and called my agent back and said ‘yep,’” he explained. “I couldn’t get back to sleep after that. My phone wouldn’t stop.”
Nehring will spend this season playing for the Binghamton Senators of the AHL and when needed, the Ottawa Senators of the NHL.
“My dream was to play in the NHL growing up. I think that’s every kid’s dream in Canada,” said the Springside, S.K. native.
The steady climb through the leagues has benefitted Nehring’s game, he explained.
“I’ve slowly progressed on every team, and have worked my way to the starting line,” he said. “I think I’ve worked hard and it’s been a steady progression. I’ve been able to stay healthy and have had a good run.”
Nehring made it to the ice to represent the Senators in their preseason action. And as surprising at it sounds, he said playing at the NHL level is actually easier for him.
“Players are that hair of a fraction better, smarter, faster and stronger - everyone knows their role,” he said. “Everyone knows where everyone’s at. It’s better to play in the NHL, if you’re ready for the NHL.”
Through all the successes of his hockey career, Nehring still remembers his days in orange and black, playing as a Terrier.
“Playing in your home city, around family, with your brother… it’s incredible,” he said.
He said he’s grateful for his time on the Terriers because of the fact that his teammates and coaches saw something in him.
In terms of how the rest of his season will look, Nehring has high hopes to see significant NHL ice time with the Senators.
“I’ve had some really good meetings with the general manager and coaching staff. [My] showing in preseason went quite well,” he said. “It looks like I’ll probably start the year in the AHL but in my head, I believe I’ll play a good portion [with the Senators].”
