Hyman's dad shares inspiring story about Edmonton Oilers star
There is something to be said about the power of belief when it comes to making the NHL.
Sometimes, a player is so good from a young age that making the big leagues is a given before they even turn 15, like Connor McDavid. That wasn’t the case for Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman, who was never a standout offensive player in his junior days.
But the belief was there. Through hard work and determination, Hyman carved out a role for himself and broke into the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he wasn’t done there. He kept honing his craft and eventually established himself as an elite scorer with the Oilers.
Hyman’s father, Stu, recently went on the Oilers’ annual dads trip, where he shared a funny from the Edmonton forward’s youth.
“Zach was seven years old, he played in the Timmy Tyke tournament, and he won MVP,” Stu started. “I remember going back into the dressing room to help him undo his skates, and he said, ‘You know what I want to be, Dad?’ and I said, ‘What?’ and he goes, ‘Well, I’m gonna play in the NHL when I grow up,’ and I go ‘Well, that’s great Zach, I believe you and just work hard.'”
Comedian? Teacher? Rapper? The #Oilers dads suggest what their sons’ careers would be if they weren’t hockey players 🤔 #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/XEtecUw7FG
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 13, 2026
That would have been a cute, inspiring story if things had ended there. Having a parent support a young player’s dream is always a critical part in one day accomplishing that goal. But that wasn’t the end.
Stu went on to say that his support of his son actually caused another parent to take him aside and give him a lecture.
“One of the dads on the team, he was a psychiatrist or psychologist, and he grabbed me, and he said, ‘I gotta speak to you outside, Stu,'” The elder Hyman continued his story. “He goes, ‘You’re giving your kid false advice, false hope, nobody on this team is gonna make the NHL, nobody on this team is gonna be even drafted.’
“So I said to that dad, ‘Well, you know what, if my kid tells me he wants to be a teacher or a fireman, or a garbageman, whatever he wants to do, I’m gonna believe him, and I’m gonna support him in achieving his dreams.'”
That parent ended up being dead wrong, as Hyman not only got drafted by the Florida Panthers in 2010, but he also has a 50-goal NHL season under his belt. That interaction still stood out to Stu all these years later.
“When Zach got drafted, the first thing that popped into my mind was that dad telling me that nobody will get drafted, let alone make the NHL,” Stu said with a smile. “He’s always loved hockey, and that’s been his dream from the beginning.
“I give Zach full credit; he achieved it by working hard, and he continues to do that on the ice. Dreams do come true, and as Zach always says in his books, ‘What you believe, you can achieve.'”
Not every hockey player will make the NHL, but supporting your child’s dream to try at least to do it is a good parenting tip. Who knows, maybe they might just become the next Zach Hyman.