We get to see various athletes who surface for their career transition stories. Whether from Formula 1 to Alpine Skiing, or track and field to basketball, we’ve seen athletes flip their careers 180 degrees. But what enables them to make such massive decisions is willpower. Having said so, the Arizona Ridge Riders’ bull riding team veteran’s life can be anything but undramatic besides being inspirational.

Nick Tetz made his comeback at the recent Unleash the Beast season and has already made his presence felt. But bullriding hasn’t been the only reason for the 2022 PBR Canada champion to stick to the sporting realm. Someone who says “I usually stay on until my head starts spinning,” had once spun his hockey stick around to make his moves count. But what made him quit?

Bull Riding champ’s inside story behind career shift

A decade ago, Tetz’s promising career was all about hockey and how he could have a chance at the juniors. But now, after taking part in 26 rodeo events, he can establish himself as a successful bull rider. Though absurd it sounds, the unpredictability of life overshadowed him, but he came out victorious, anyway. Growing up in Calgary, he was always surrounded by hockey players, be it his friends or family. He also claimed, “It was my first love. I wanted to make the NHL”. Hailing from Tanbridge Academy, hockey was one of his courses. But what made such a hockey fanatic join the rodeo tribe?

Godparents Duane and Judy Ashbacher-owned ranch was where it all started. Though his friends were aware of his bull riding interest, they were ignorant about the intensity. On the ranch in Arrowwood, Alberta, when the Ashbacher family hosted local rodeo events, Nick Tetz would volunteer. And when his dad once asked him whether he would like to ride a steer, he gave it a go.

And the constellations aligned and here he is. But a fun thing had happened when he was 15.

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Tetz’s moment of dilemma

“I was still playing hockey competitively. As soon as I realized that I didn’t really care as much about hockey as I did bull riding, all of a sudden I never really had a bad game”, was what he said after he mindfully played hockey, despite it not being his priority. As funny as it sounds, he could feel the pressure going away.

He further said, “I was like, ‘Oh man, I should have just stopped caring a long time ago. That would have saved me and my dad a lot of arguments while driving home from the game.'” Since his father loved hockey and adored watching his son in action in the arena, he had always wanted him to follow the family legacy.

Though confused about where his son was in the rodeo graph initially, his dad surely takes pride now.

Watch this story: Rodeo Championship Unveils Star-Studded Roster for Epic Showdown