Reigning PBR Canada Champion Nick Tetz Sets Sights on Cup Series Season Launch in Red Deer, Alberta

AIRDRIE, Alta. – This weekend, Red Deer, Alberta, will host the 2025 season-launch event for the elite PBR Canada Cup Series, and Nick Tetz says he is ready to begin his bid to become the first back-to-back Champion in Canadian history.

The central Alberta city will host the PBR Canada Cup Series for the fourth time, and a packed event is expected.

Two-time and reigning PBR Canada Champion Tetz is coming off a short break—both to heal a minor wrist injury and refocus for the season ahead. 

“I decided to take a couple of weeks off. I have just started getting back on practice bulls, getting fresh and confident heading into Red Deer. I might look south for some PBR Velocity events after that, but the focus right now is Red Deer,” Tetz said.

“I feel reinvigorated. I was mentally worn out heading into the UTB season. I needed the break. But the mental toll last year took on me was big. Being just me and [Cody] Coverchuk for the second half of the season, I really focused on what he was doing and trying to find the advantages where I could. I was mentally drained from that.”

“I am happy to have taken a break,” Tetz added. “Getting back in the gym, heading to Jim [Thompson’s] place, and getting on bulls—it has made me really excited to get things kicked off in Red Deer.”

Tetz just returned from a PBR Monster Energy Team Challenge rivalry game held on the opening night of Unleash The Beast competition in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but he did not compete.

He made a visit with his teammates to UPMC Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital, including breaking away to do the weather report for a closed-circuit morning show pumped into the kids’ rooms. 

Tetz and Arizona Ridge Rider teammate Keyshawn Whitehorse quietly spent time coloring with patient. Then he cheered on his Arizona Ridge Riders in PBR’s raucous sold-out debut in Pittsburgh, with Whitehorse knocking down the winning ride to lift the Ridge Riders to victory against the Oklahoma Wildcatters.

Tetz says he is in a unique position where he can take time off while still being surrounded by the excitement and support of his Arizona Ridge Riders.

Being part of the marketing for the Rivals matchup gave Tetz the opportunity to meet some sporting icons, but for the former hockey player, the highlight was touring the historic Pittsburgh Penguins facility.

“I am thankful for the team that I am on—for the opportunities that have been given to me through that. You get to meet so many great people but are also surrounded by a great group. Pittsburgh was one of those events that, when it came out on the schedule as a rivalry game for us, it was one you didn’t want to miss,” Tetz said.

“Having a two-time Super Bowl champion [Brett Keisel] next to you, getting the crowd fired up—it was wild. It fires you up. I wish I was getting on. Getting to see Sidney Crosby’s stall—I was damn near crying walking into that locker room as someone who dreamed of playing in the NHL as a kid.”

“It’s something I will hold on to forever,” Tetz continued. “Makes you want to get back there, get back rolling with the team. We have one in a few weeks in Salt Lake City, and I will be there.”

Peavey Mart Centrium in Red Deer hasn’t been Tetz’ strongest venue. But always the optimist, Tetz says lessons learned in the past will help him get a strong start to his 2025 campaign.

“It would have been the year after I won my first title. It was my first event back, and I had been going down south for a couple of PBR Velocity events here and there, getting on practice bulls. I expected to do good,” Tetz said of the Red Deer event in 2023.

“I think I had the fastest buck-off time of anyone in that first round. Bull riding is a humbling sport, and just because you did good a couple of days ago doesn’t mean you will do good today. It was a good wake-up call for me. It showed me that just because you are rolling in as the champ, it doesn’t matter—the bulls don’t care. It goes to show you can learn something every time you nod your head.”

Tickets for the PBR Red Deer Classic are selling fast. To get yours, visit the Tickets Alberta Box Office located in the Peavey Mart Centrium foyer, online at TicketsAlberta.com, or charge by phone at (866) 340-4450.