Attachments to athletes have been known to inspire people to name their pets and, in many cases, babies, after them.

But Paul Reddam went a different route in his homage to Nyquist, the Detroit Red Wings forward. Reddam, a native of Windsor, Ontario, who owns thoroughbred horses, is a Red Wings fan, and with Windsor being so close to Detroit, he named his prodigious colt Nyquist after the gifted Swede. On May 8, 2016, the 3-year-old colt, a 2-1 favorite, won the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby.

During Nyquist's outstanding three-year career at the University of Maine he led the Black Bears each season in scoring and the nation his second season with 61 points. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to college hockey's top player.

Following another season at Maine, Nyquist signed an entry-level contract with the Red Wings, who selected him in the fourth round (No. 121) of the 2008 NHL Draft following his second season with Malmö in Sweden.

Nyquist spend the majority of the next two seasons with Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League and helped the team win the Calder Cup in 2013.

Nyquist began the 2013-14 season at Grand Rapids, before being called up and scoring two goals in his first game, against the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 21, 2013.

During a 10-game stretch from March 16, 2013 to April 2, 2013, Nyquist scored 12 goals and 14 points. He finished with 28 goals and 48 points in 57 games.

In Nyquist's first full NHL season (2014-15), he reinforced what he had done as a rookie, as he finished with 27 goals and 27 assists in 82 games.

On July 10, 2015, Nyquist avoided salary arbitration by signing a four-year contract with Detroit.