What started in the heart of Ontario’s junior hockey scene ended in celebration thousands of miles away, in a packed German arena with drums pounding and fans on their feet.
Tyson Kielt and Tanner Ferreira, both products of the GOJHL, recently closed a four-year chapter playing pro hockey in Europe by winning a championship with the Baden Rhinos Hügelsheim in a dramatic overtime finish, to be maybe their final game in Germany. It was more than just a win. It was the reward for years of perseverance, passion, and taking chances most players never even consider.
The GOJHL Years: Humble Beginnings and Big Lessons
Before Germany, before travelling across Europe and packed playoff arenas, both Kielt and Ferreira were just teenagers trying to find their game in the GOJHL.
Kielt a defenseman, played for the St. Marys Lincolns, Stratford Warriors, and London Nationals from 2017 to 2019. Ferreira, a forward, played for the Nationals as well, earning a Western Conference title in 2017, before attending Brock University, while Kielt went on to Western University.
“Playing in the GOJHL really gave me the balance I needed,” said Kielt. “They were great at helping you stay on top of school while keeping your hockey commitments. If I had an exam or a full week of games and practices, they were flexible and supportive.”
That balance helped them set life foundations. The demands of junior hockey shaped how they approached academics and vice versa.
“For me, my first year with the Nats really changed how I saw things,” Ferreira shared. “A lot of the guys were in engineering. It made me realize I had to step it up, academically. Hockey pushed me to be a better student.”
The Jump Overseas: A Leap of Faith
After university, both players weren’t quite ready to hang up their skates. They had the itch to travel, to keep playing, and to experience hockey in a new way. So they took a chance, no agents, no clear path, just connections, persistence, and a belief that something could work out.
“We wanted to play overseas, it was something we talked about constantly,” Kielt said. “There’s a bit of luck, of course, and you need to be realistic. But if you can get on a team, the opportunity is amazing. You’re still playing high-level hockey and living in Europe.”
They landed with “Baden Rhinos Hügelsheim” a team in Germany, and the experience was everything they hoped it would be, and more. “It’s hard to describe unless you’ve been there,” said Ferreira. “The atmosphere was insane. They had drums going the entire game. The fans were so passionate. It couldn’t have worked
out better.”
Battling in the GOJHL: AAA Hockey to Juniors
Before making the jump to Europe, both Kielt and Ferreira had already been battle-tested in the GOJHL, a league at the time known for its physicality and pace. The grind of junior hockey in Ontario prepared them for just about anything the game could throw at them.
“Those first few years in junior, you are coming from AAA, then in the GOJHL playing against full-grown men,” Kielt Said. “There was more fighting back then, and they even made the switch from visors to cages during our time. It was gritty and intense.”
Ferreira added, “You had to make that first pass quicker than you were used to.”
And then, there were the unexpected moments that made the ride even more surreal. One year, they found themselves skating alongside “AP” Nick Suzuki during a playoff push.
The skill level in the GOJHL was constantly improving as the years went on.
A Championship and a Fitting Farewell
This season was maybe their last in Germany. They returned to Baden for one final playoff run, and it couldn’t have ended better.
“If we got to go back, the goal was to win the championship. It’s something I’ll never forget.” Kielt Said.
In a sport that demands everything from its players, the people beside you become your chosen family. For Kielt and Ferreira, those bonds, built in the GOJHL and carried across the world, are one of the greatest things hockey ever gave them.
Advice for the Next Wave
Both are quick to point out that there’s a whole world of hockey out there, not just the traditional
paths.
“Don’t be discouraged if you end up on a team you didn’t expect,” said Kielt. “Make the most of it. There are so many opportunities overseas that people just don’t talk about.”
Ferreira added, “I wouldn’t change a thing. I had a coach, Kelly Thomson, who gave me a second chance to play important minutes. He made me love the game again.”
From Teammates to Business Partners
Even after hanging up their skates in Germany, the partnership between Kielt and Ferreira didn’t end at the rink. In fact, it evolved into something entirely new. The two friends and former teammates co-founded a business together called T&T Local, a sales, distribution, and event service company focused on locally made beverages.
While most teammates part ways after their final game, Tyson Kielt and Tanner Ferreira found a different path, one that took the chemistry they built on the ice and turned it into a thriving partnership off of it.
More Than Just Hockey
For both, hockey was always the foundation, but the real takeaways go far beyond goals and wins.
“You learn life skills from the game, structure, commitment, teamwork,” said Kielt. “And Europe gave me the chance to travel through hockey.”
“I made some of my best friends through this,” Ferreira said. “The memories, the people we met overseas, it’s something I’ll take with me forever.”
Two former GOJHL players. One last championship. A journey across the world, fueled by a love for the game. For Tyson Kielt and Tanner Ferreira, it wasn’t just about where they played; it was about the path, the growth, and the belief that hockey could provide them other opportunities and experiences.
