Welcome back to Hockey Related! We’re diving into the incredible journey of Nate Schmidt, an “ice hockey” player whose story goes from undrafted rookie to NHL veteran. This episode features clips related to the Vegas Golden Knights and includes dynamic “nhl highlights”, showcasing the essence of a thrilling “hockey game”. Explore Schmidt’s path and his amazing “hockey skills” in this special feature.
Today’s episode dives into the life and lineage of Nate Schmidt—the always‑smiling, lederhosen‑wearing, Minnesota‑born defenseman whose story stretches from rural Minnesota to the bright lights of Vegas, Florida, and now Utah.
You know Nate as the positive‑energy blue liner who became a fan favorite wherever he went. But behind the career is a family history filled with German immigrants, Oktoberfest memories, a surprising case of pedigree collapse, and a 19th‑century love story that began aboard a ship crossing the Atlantic.
📌 Highlights:
• Undrafted free agent → signed by the Washington Capitals
• Breakout star of the Vegas Golden Knights’
• Lifting the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers
• College hockey standout at the University of Minnesota
• Meeting his future wife, Allie, a graphic designer and NCAA soccer player
• A shared family passion for classic cars (Schmidty’s garage!)
• Becoming a dad—twice—through all the chaos of the NHL life
• Strong German, Austrian, Hungarian, and Dutch roots
• An immigration story involving two who crossed the Atlantic on the same ship… and then married the next year
• A family that helped shape his identity on and off the ice
🎧 Why This Story Matters
Nate’s journey is more than goals, trades, and playoff minutes. It’s a story about identity—where we come from, how our ancestors shape us, and how even in the chaos of professional hockey, the threads of family history have a way of catching up to us… sometimes in the middle of Oktoberfest wearing lederhosen.
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📘 Chapters
0:00 – Intro to Nate Schmidt
0:22 – Overview
0:56 – First Period: Undrafted Stanly Cup Champion
2:26 – Break One: Expansion Draft
4:46 – Second Period: A Minnesota Foundation
6:07 – Schmidt and Tuna
6:25 – Nate and Allie
6:48 – Schmidty’s
7:00 – Break Two: Pedigree Collapse
8:44 – Third Period: Nate Schmidt’s German Heritage
10:12 – The Love Boat
11:05 – Postgame: The Summary
📰 Sources & References
“Bacon-wrapped deer heart and an Austrian circus: Nate Schmidt’s journey during his 20 Game suspension,” by Jesse Granger for The Athletic, 16 Nov 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/658064/2018/11/16/bacon-wrapped-deer-heart-and-an-austrian-circus-nate-schmidts-journey-during-his-20-game-suspension/ Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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Hockey Related is a channel where we learn about hockey, its players, and traditions. We dive into the players genealogy and Family History to see how we are all connected together through our stories.
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