Extending the Pipeline: Jeff Niehaus

Written by: Scott Savard

Headline photo: Scott Savard

Okotoks, AB (February 5, 2026) – The trip to Okotoks was a quick one for the 2007-born rookie forward, Jeff Niehaus, as he not only grew up in Calgary but also lived in the southern part of “Cowtown.”

Niehaus grew up in the community of Garrison Green before spending the last eight years in Kelvin Grove. He would grow up donning the Glenlake Minor Hockey uniform before making the jump to Calgary’s prestigious hockey program with Edge School. Niehaus explained that while he was with Glenlake, his teams saw great success.

“Yeah, my Pee Wee, we were, I think, second in the country. That year, we had really good players who have gone on now, like Jackson Smith (Columbus Blue Jackets first-round draft pick, #14 overall in 2025), Nathan Behm (Chicago Blackhawks third-round pick in 2025), Cash Koch (Tri-City Americans), and all those guys. Hocher (Brennan, former Okotoks Oiler) was on that team. It was a lot of fun; we always had a lot of success, and it was a lot of fun playing with those guys,” Niehaus said about his time playing for Glenlake.

Hockey and Calgary go hand-in-hand and have for a long time. Niehaus feels that it hasn’t changed, as you see more top talent from the area making it into the NHL and making an immediate impact. Players from the area, for example, include former Okotoks Oiler Dylan Holloway and Brooks Bandit Cale Makar, along with two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Brayden Point.

“Yeah, for sure,” he responded when asked if Calgary is still a hockey hotbed. “I think you see a lot of guys coming out of Calgary that are pretty good hockey players. There are already some in the NHL and even more just coming out of Calgary. I feel like it’s kind of bred into you, like when you are born, that’s all you want to do is play hockey. You grow up going to Flames games and stuff like that, I feel like it’s very knitted into the community and you are kind of born into it type of thing.”

Niehaus was a prime example of a kid coming out of the womb ready to put on the skates, as he started at an early age and had a mini stick in his hand since before he could remember.

“I want to say it was my parents,” Niehaus answered when asked who got him into the sport played on ice. “I think I started playing mini sticks in the basement when I was probably like one or two years old. We have always had a backyard rink in the winter, so I’d always be out there from a very young age.”

He added that he would spend all day and night at his family’s outdoor rink in their backyard, as he would only come in during dinner and then head back out, no matter what the temperature was. Niehaus explained that once the family moved to their new home, they would also have a rink out front, which he would use whenever he had the extra time.

While that’s how Niehaus got started in hockey, what kept his love for the game thriving was the camaraderie between teammates and the memories he made along the way.

“Yeah, I think being with the guys is a big one, and obviously, winning is fun. I think just the people you get to meet out of it, the connections you get to make. I look back, and I’m still friends with guys that I played Timbits hockey with at five or six years old. It definitely pushes you to face adversity when you play hockey, and I feel like that shapes you as a person as you kind of grow up. Being able to push through hard things is something you definitely have to learn growing up, so I feel it helps with that,” he said about his love of the sport.

Niehaus feels that hockey requires everyone to be on the same page and takes a whole team to win games.

“I think you see with football, basketball, and stuff like that, it’s more of an individual sport. I feel like hockey is such a team game; you need everyone to win. It’s not just one or two guys, and I feel like you see that all the time. Leaders like Toews (Jonathan) and those guys, they know it takes everyone, and they know you do it for each other and not for yourself,” Niehaus added.

He also said that the physicality of the sport helps bring the group together, as everyone does their part and pays the price to give the team every opportunity to win. Niehaus believes you see that all across the sport as it’s built into the culture.

“I feel like as you grow up and get older, it’s not all about the highlight reel goals and the top guys, yeah, they’re fun to watch, but when you look at team success, it definitely takes everyone. It takes all four lines, and you need a good goalie,” he explained.

Athletics have always been a part of Niehaus’ life as he dabbled in many sports before deciding that hockey was the right one for him.

“Yeah, I played a lot,” Niehaus said about trying different sports. “My parents always pushed me to play other sports, so I played lacrosse till I was about 12 or 13 and then soccer. I played all kinds of sports. You see a lot of kids now, and they’re all just hockey-focused at such a young age. You gotta explore what you’re good at, and I feel like playing a bunch of different sports and being good at a bunch of different sports helps you build overall athleticism rather than just kind of one sport-focused. You’ve got to be able to throw a football and throw a baseball; you can’t just be good at hockey. So I feel that helped me with just overall athleticism for sure.”

Niehaus added that he enjoyed being able to take his mind off hockey while playing lacrosse, as the sport would start in the spring, which was right around the time the hockey seasons come to a close. He explained that having lacrosse also helped him not get burned out from hockey, which was the eventual sport of choice for Niehaus.

“I feel like I had a greater passion for it,” he said about why hockey became his primary sport. “Then, obviously, I think I was better at hockey than kind of everything else, and then the people I surrounded myself with, and like the friends I had, it was all kind of hockey-based. I don’t want to say that the decision was made for me, because obviously, I wanted to play hockey, but it was just kind of the culture I was in that I wanted to play hockey, for sure.”

Some of those friends and connections that Niehaus made in the sport come from his five years spent at Edge Hockey School, where he would go to study each day with like-minded people in his age group.

“I was there for five years, grade eight to grade 12. I’ve played on all five of the men’s teams. I think it’s unbelievable, it teaches you how to kind of balance school in hockey, and they’re big on their three spheres of character, athletics, academics, so I feel like it helped me balance those three for sure, because you have to learn at some point that it’s not just all about hockey. You gotta be a good person, you gotta be able to work hard at school too,” Niehaus said about his time at Edge.

“Just the development side, you’re on the ice every day, you’re with your closest buddies, you’re going to class with them, you’re working out. It literally just sets you up for success. I can’t speak highly enough about it. Graduating there was one of the best years of my life. I had so much fun. Staying that extra year to play midget hockey again with my buddies, it’s something I’ll never forget for sure. It was so fun.”

While many kids struggle to find the passion or excitement to go to school, Niehaus explained that getting to play hockey at school made the experience of going each day to continue his academics easy.

“You go in, you practice in the morning, and then you had to go to class, but you’re going with your teammates. So, it makes it easier for sure, especially when you’re on the road and stuff, because you all got the same work kind of thing, it helps you. You definitely get close with those guys. Sometimes you get a little sick of them, because you’re with them all the time. But, yeah, I think it’s good that way. Like, you don’t really need team building to kind of build that up because you’re with them all the time. You don’t need to do extracurriculars, but, yeah, I loved it. For me, I’m a social guy, and I love being with people. So meeting new people and stuff like that was great,” he said.

Two former Okotoks Oilers, Brennan Hocher (Calgary, AB) and Ryan Boyce (Calgary, AB), also attended Edge which they were able to meet and make friends with Niehaus before he made the jump to the BCHL this season.

“Yeah, I’m good friends with ‘Boycer’, obviously. Then Hocher, I played with him growing up in my whole life. I talked to them about it, and they obviously loved it here. Boycer was a young guy; he came in pretty early, but he said he liked it,” he mentioned about Boyce and Hocher. “So I’ve always kind of been involved with the organization. I’ve always been around it. So I feel like when they told me they were going there, I was excited because then I kind of got to see from my peers how they would like it and how it would be from that side of things before I came in. So, yeah, they loved it here, they told me.”

Not only would Niehaus make friends with former Okotoks Oilers, but he also spent a ton of time with the projected 2027 first overall pick, Landon DuPont, who was awarded with second ever WHL Exceptional Player Status last season, allowing the defenceman to play in the league at the age of 15. Only Connor Bedard has been awarded the status in the WHL besides DuPont. Being friends with DuPont has its advantages, as Niehaus was able to get some new sticks from his close buddy.

“Yeah, so I drove him, Zac Olsen (Saskatoon Blades), and Owen Cooper (Kamloops Blazers), to school every day during their U18 year in my U-17 year; we carpooled. He’s one of my best friends now, love the guy to death,” Niehuas said about DuPont. “I was running low on sticks, and (Morgan Hides, Oilers Athletic Therapist), said they wouldn’t come until March. So, (DuPont) gave me a couple, yeah.”

He believes that playing against top talent like DuPont growing up has only helped him continue to grow his game as he has shared the ice with a futute top end talent in the NHL.

“Yeah, he’s obviously on a different level, and it’s fun to be around him and stuff. But he’s still kind of the same guy to hang out with. Great guy, obviously, and yeah, competing with those guys, even Owen Cooper and Zac Olsen, they’re all great hockey players. Being in that environment will make me better. But, yeah, I feel like I got to know them for who they are as people, and  I love them to death. Those are some of my best friends, and I think they will be for a while,” he explained.

DuPont’s older brother, Nolan, is also close with Niehaus, and the two got to faceoff this season when the Coquitlam Express visited Okotoks on November 28, 2025.

“Yeah, it’s definitely weird. I haven’t really experienced it that much because everyone I knew went to Edge, didn’t really know many other people (in the sport from outside of Calgary). So, playing against him now, like, he’s obviously a great player too, I can’t speak highly enough about him, but yeah, it’s definitely funny, like seeing him across the rink,” Niehaus added.

Niehaus wouldn’t get the opportunity to jump into the lineup until the beginning of November, as he unfortunately caught mono, but has since been a regular in the lineup after getting back to 100 per cent.

“Yeah, obviously, it was tough for sure, getting seven and a half weeks off because of a sickness, and the doctor wouldn’t let me play because of my spleen, but I feel like that’s kind of what I talked about before, just that adversity, trying to stay level headed. I knew it was going to be hard to kind of consistently get in the lineup, especially with not playing at the start of the year.  My time to kind of prove what I could do is definitely limited compared to other guys. So, yeah, I think I’ve done a pretty good job, and I’m just trying to get better every day. Just trying to keep it simple at the start and just get reliable first, and then other things will come,” he explained.

One of Niehaus’ goals in hockey is to suit up and play for a post-secondary school. Having experience with balancing school and hockey at Edge, getting a commitment would be a dream come true, as well as something Niehaus has proven that he can handle. He mentioned that commitments have changed since the new rules applied by the NCAA, allowing CHL players to join the league, but he feels the BCHL is the right place for him to try to impress scouts for a scholarship.

None of Niehaus’s hockey success would be possible without his parents, Chad and Stephanie, whom he would give a shoutout to. Niehaus explained that his dad played for the Calgary Royals association and grew up playing against Okotoks Oilers Head Coach and GM, Tyler Deis.

“Yeah, they’re so supportive of me in anything I choose to do. They’ve always told me school comes first, and I 100 per cent agree with that. There’s always a life after hockey, Deiser (Tyler Deis) says it all the time, no matter what, hockey’s going to take you out eventually, so you’ve got to be prepared for that, because when it does, you don’t want to be lost. But yeah, they’ve supported me so much. They’re always there for me. They’re not too hard on me; they are when they have to be, but whenever I have a bad game, they’re always there for me, they’re always there to talk and give me advice. I feel like they really have helped me with my mindset towards the game, like at the end of the day, it is just a game. Just trying to keep levelheaded, like, you have a bad game, it’s not the end of the world. There’s always another shift, another game. I remember in grade seven, I really wanted to go to Edge, and they were kind of on the fence about it, but eventually gave in and let me pursue my dream, and I couldn’t be more thankful. I met someone of my best friends, the best experience in my life, and they wanted to support me and let me do that,” Niehaus praised his parents.

With his parents living so close to Okotoks, both Chad and Stephanie have made numerous trips down to watch Niehiaus play. He would add that while he is staying at a billet’s house, he is able to make trips to his parents for dinners and celebrations. That being said, Niehuas added that he loves spending time at his billet’s place and is thankful for everything that they do.

“I try to say there as much as possible. It’s kind of hard because I live so close, but yeah, they’re awesome. I love them. They’re super, super mellow, and their kids are awesome,” he said about his billets. ” Loved living with (his family). It’s just helpful. It’s a little closer to the rink and stuff. It’s so much better, I’m glad I’m billeting because obviously it gives you a different experience than living at home, you’re living with a different family, kind of different traditions and stuff like that, but also just way closer.”

Niehaus didn’t grow up alone in his family’s household as he is the middle child between two sisters, his oldest, Isabelle, and his youngest, Eve. Niehaus explained that Isabelle is currently rooming with one of Tyler Deis’ daughters in college at Western University.

“It gets a little hectic sometimes, but yeah, it’s good. Like, obviously, I love them to death, you know? Your siblings are always going to get into arguments and stuff like that, but yeah, I love them. They’re great, for sure,” Niehaus said about his sisters. “My little sister recently played (hockey) for a couple of years, but she’s done now. They’re big volleyball players; they are pretty tall, and they love volleyball.”

“Obviously, naturally, right now I’m closer with my older sister, just because we’re older, but I’m still close to my little sister. She’s awesome, just a great person, so empathetic,” he continued about his relationship with his sisters. “I’ll see my little sister kind of every Sunday and then try to keep in touch with my older sister as much as I can. We’re obviously both pretty busy, but she’s kind of home, like, every month and a half, two months or so, that’s always good to see her. She was home a while for Christmas break.”

When it comes to joining the Oilers, Niehaus explained that he always hoped that one day he would crack the Green and Gold roster, as the BCHL was a league he was always interested in playing in.

“I feel like it’s an older league, for sure. I’m kind of shocked that I’m 18 and I’m the youngest age group on my team.  I feel like with the import rule, there are so many different players that can come here, which just creates that higher level, and then it’s just being an unsanctioned league. Like, I feel like it draws a lot of people to it for sure. It’s definitely like pushing me to be better. Obviously, it’s a grind, especially being in my position, being a younger guy,” Niehaus explained.

As for the Green Army, Niehaus said he’s proud to represent the fan base and feels the energy the Oilers faithful bring every night.

“They’re unbelievable. Obviously, there are a couple of die-hards who we love to see every game, and we want to work on getting the community more involved for sure, because I feel like the stigma is that we don’t have a lot of local guys, and that’s kind of why they don’t want to come support. But you’ve got to kind of get to know everyone, just because we’re not local, doesn’t mean you don’t bleed green, right? We all want to be here, we choose to be here, and we want to do it for them. So their support means the world to us and definitely helps us want to win games more for them,” he explained.

Niehaus would also add how much the younger fans who show their support at games mean to him and the team.

“It’s cool for sure. I feel like it kind of puts it into perspective a little bit when you’re in warm-ups, and there are some little kids out there. You definitely want to play for them. You want to play your best for them, and then obviously, you want to be as kind as you can to them when you do get a chance to interact with them. We’re trying to do a lot of community stuff that way, like helping with coaching and stuff like that. So, definitely just trying to put your full effort in for those kids, because I know when I was a kid, it would have meant the world to me, so it takes nothing to kind of be nice to them and put that effort in.”

10 Questions with Jeff Niehaus

What is your go-to cheat meal?

“Now, I’d probably say football. We got a bunch of Americans, so we always talk about it. Kind of got to watch it, to keep up a little bit. But they’re so passionate about. Growing up, probably lacrosse, I loved lacrosse.”

What is your favourite movie and TV show?

“Favourite movie, probably Good Will Hunting. My dad made me watch that when I was younger, and then we studied it in English class last year. I actually wrote my diploma on it, my English diploma. TV show. Well, Stranger Things just ended, and I’ve always liked that. Always been a big Modern Family guy.”

Favourite team and player growing up?

“I kind of started out as a Flames fan when I was younger. Iginla was always my favourite player, and I always loved Sidney Crosby. There are photos of me when I’m like, five years old as a Sidney Crosby Jersey. I’d say when I was eight years old, I kind of flipped to being an Oilers fan, actually. I think it was McDavid coming in, and then I always liked Eberle.”

Who was your celebrity crush growing up?

“I feel like it was maybe Olivia Holt.”

What is your guilty pleasure song?

“Oh, God. I’ve got a lot of Taylor Swift. I’ll say 22.”

If you could relive any day of your life, what day would you choose?

“Probably when I went to a Zach Bryan concert in Atlanta.”

Would you rather visit the past or the future?

“I feel like the future’s too intriguing.. I feel like I’d go pretty far into the future. I feel like with AI right now, there’s no kind of end to the possibilities, but I definitely go outside of my lifespan, like, when I’m not living. Just to see what it would be like. I feel like it’d be crazy.”

If you could meet anyone in the world, alive or dead, who would you meet?

“When I was younger, I was a big Queen fan. So maybe Freddie Mercury? That’d be pretty cool. I feel like I just want to talk to him, learn what he’s all about, and stuff like that.”

Where in the world would you go if I could snap my fingers and get you there right now?

“Europe, like old Europe and stuff like that. Maybe Japan, like a little snowboarding trip to Japan.”

Who has the worst stick tape job on the team?

“Engy (Brady Engelkes) is pretty abd right now. He’s doing some weird stuff with the black tape, and then he’s taping white over it, and it’s pretty weird. He’s only been doing that recently, though.”

Bonus

Do you prefer to use black or white hockey tape?

“I switch it up often. Last year, I think I was white the whole year. At the start of this year, I used black tape, but I don’t know. I kind of switch it up. Like, definitely at the start of this year, I was using black tape, and then kind of my first two games back from my illness, I used black tape and then switched it up, and it’s been good ever since.”

Who would be your emergency contact on the team?

“Not Andy (Ethan Anderson). Definitely not Andy. He doesn’t pick up. I’ll go Cali (Luke Calabria), he’s reliable.”

Best advice you have got from your parents?

“Treat others how you want to be treated. Then, always including people, if I see someone who’s not being included in your group setting, that’s where their voice would come in, because the last thing you want is to be sitting there by yourself.”