Feature photo: NHL.com/Blues & @ozzywiesblatt_ on IG
Hats off to Jake Neighbours.
When the St. Louis Blues forward was given the opportunity to team up with designers from CAPX, a headwear innovation lab, to create five hats to benefit a good cause, he jumped at the chance to get involved.
“Last year, the team approached me with the opportunity to help design some hats,” Neighbours told NHLPA.com. “I sat down with the designers and worked with them to create the hats. It was awesome.
“It was nice to have that variety. Everyone has different preferences, so we tried to include different logos and colours that are connected to the Blues and the team history.”
The creations are more than just a fashion statement.
Among the designs Available through STL Authentics and STLAuthentics.com, there are a pair of hats that are deeply meaningful for Neighbours.
One features “BLUES” fingerspelled out in American Sign Language, while another has Neighbours' No. 63 detailed in ASL on the side.
“They are my favourite ones,” he said.
It comes as no surprise that they would be.
Neighbours learned ASL after finding out Kim White, the mother of one of his closest childhood friends and Nashville Predators prospect, Ozzy Wiesblatt, is deaf.
“I played hockey against Ozzy,” recalled Neighbours “When we were 15, we played on the same midget AAA team when we were in Calgary.
“Once we met, we became so close,” he said of Ozzy who made his NHL debut with the Predators on Jan. 3.“We were almost inseparable. We spent so much time together in the summers and then at school. We were around each other almost every day and we ended up becoming great friends and getting to know each other’s families. When I decided that I was going to learn to communicate through sign language, it just brought us that much closer. He was the one who taught me.”
Through Neighbours’ collaboration with CAPX, a portion of proceeds from the two hats featuring ASL will be directed to DEAF, Inc. – a deaf-centric, community-based nonprofit organization located in St. Louis.
“The best part for me is all the attention it [the project] is getting for ASL and spreading awareness for the deaf community, and that a portion of the money raised is going to DEAF, Inc.,” said Neighbours.
“It was such a great opportunity for me. I have a platform and to be able to do something that is very important and close to me – I feel very blessed and thankful to be able to do this.”
Leading up to his NHL debut, Wiesblatt, the 31st overall pick of the San Jose Sharks in 2020, paid tribute to his mother via a video posted on social media.
“My name’s Ozzy, people call me Oz” Wiesblatt shared in American Sign Language.
That wasn’t the only heartwarming moment between son and mother.
Wiesblatt also tossed a puck to his mom during pregame warmups.
“I think it touched a lot of people,” said Neighbours. “They have an amazing bond.”
They also have Neighbours in their corner.
“Family, friends, teammates – they are all very supportive and have great things to say about the hats and the cause,” said Neighbours. “The reviews have been great. I’m so happy with how this all turned out.”
If he needs a helping hand to model the hats, which teammates would the player who set NHL career-best marks in goals (27) and points (38) last season opt for?
“Maybe I’d go with Joel Hofer and Nathan Walker – get those guys representing some of it,” said Neighbours.
“I think just how well received it has been by the fans and the attention it has brought – it’s very cool and I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to do something like this.”
And to do it for people Neighbours cares deeply about.
“They Wiesblatts are family to me. Our families are very close, and I feel very fortunate to have that connection with them.”
