Former Buffalo Beauts GM finds exciting new chapter in film

Having worked tirelessly towards creating a culture built on collaboration and mutual respect as General Manager of the Buffalo Beauts, such values remain prominent for Nathaniel Oliver. Serving as the last GM in franchise history, representing a proud achievement in his hockey sojourn, the elements of entertainment and promotion from professional sports remain relevant.   

With a current focus on film, the leadership skills cultivated with the Beauts sees Oliver shining in a role as an associate producer on the film CATnip, a horror/comedy Christmas movie about residents of an apartment building trapped with feral cats. Inspired by creature-features from the latter half of the 20^th Century, the holiday theme also incorporates the qualities of kitschy cult movies, providing unique nostalgia for horror film buffs. Equally notable, Oliver shall enjoy a small onscreen speaking role in CATnip. Adding to the momentum, a producing role on a true crime film written and directed by Kansas Bowling represents another exciting opportunity.

As a fan of the horror films genre, the CATnip film is a labour of love for Oliver. With an interest in hockey and popular culture running simultaneously for many years, the transition from the rink to the studio is poised to be a seamless one. Of interest to Oliver, the cast features a unique linkage to the horror genre of 1980s, simultaneously bridging generations of stars.

“One of the actors appearing in CATnip is actress Tiffany Helm. Tiff is a good friend of mine and was in a lot of 1980s movies like Friday the 13th: A New Beginning and TV series like Freddy’s Nightmares and 21 Jump Street. Definitely a “scream queen”! Her mom Brooke Bundy, who was in a few of the A Nightmare on Elm Street movies in the 1980s, was already committed to the CATnip project and Tiffany was about to be on board too. Which is really cool to see a mother-daughter duo acting in a film together. 

Anyway, Tiff knew that I was really trying to find a new direction in life after losing the Buffalo Beauts and she also knows how much I love film. She connected me with our director and writer for CATnip, Nyle Cavazos Garcia, and Nyle and I hit it off right from the get-go – we’re on a very similar wavelength together. I initially started helping with more so of the production for CATnip, but Nyle took a liking to my persona it seemed, and ended up having me audition for a small speaking role in the movie too. 

It is really a dream come true to not only be helping to produce a horror movie but to be appearing in one too. Especially since it also has my friend Tiffany Helm in it and a lot of other very talented actors too. I have loved horror movies since a very young age. “

Among the most unique aspects in the pre-production, a Kickstarter Campaign helped to set a very positive tone. Providing an element of interaction with fans, once 150 backers are reached, the campaign will unlock an ‘Angel Backer’, as $5,000 shall automatically be contributed. In addition, the attainment of other campaign goals results in the revealing of cast members. Adding fun to the campaign included the giveaway of a Tuxedo Cat Lego playset.

Worth noting, a compassionate facet is also prevalent. As the film is poised to feature numerous animal actors, an essential focus for the campaign ensures that all animals from the film are adopted. Working closely with the Screen Actors Guild, Humane Society and PETA, to ensure the utmost safety for the animals, a percentage of the proceeds will also be donated to Los Angeles Animal Shelters.

“The Kickstarter campaign for CATnip has been very encouraging so far! We have made a lot of progress in a very short period of time. The thing that I would like to clarify for people is that we are not asking for a handout. Our movie is already entirely funded and is being made regardless. The Kickstarter campaign is more so to help the cat actors in CATnip get adopted into loving homes, to provide Los Angeles film students the opportunity to attend our movie premiere where they can have facetime with the actors and producers, and to provide a portion of the proceeds to the local animal shelters in Los Angeles. 

All really good things that are going to help both animals and people. We begin filming in Los Angeles this February, and then the movie will be in theaters and on streaming platforms for Christmas 2025. We are calling CATnip a “Gremlins for grownups”, as it is similarly a horror movie that takes place during Christmas.” 

Akin to the days of the Beauts, Oliver’s current efforts sees a continued emphasis on teamwork. Frequently in contact with the other creative forces, a sense of unity has quickly taken shape. Eagerly looking forward to being part of a new team, the prospect of being on set holds the potential to mirror the atmosphere of being at the rink.

“I think just being on set with everyone and getting the movie made. We have been doing regular Zoom calls and are in communication daily, and have quickly become friends and a tightly knit team. I am one of the very few people on the filmmaking team who does not reside in Los Angeles, so I think I am especially just looking forward to being around my fellow team members and getting to see them all in person. This is all still new for me, so I am really learning a lot and that has been great too.” 

As Oliver looks forward to a new chapter in film, past reflections encompass a comforting sense of reminiscence. In his role as General Manager from 2020 until their final season in 2023, the time spent resulted in many lasting friendships. Becoming a second family for Oliver, the overall atmosphere of the Beauts mirrored one of the most endearing elements of sport in Western New York; loyalty. 

Certainly, a team on the rise, as the emergence of the Toronto Six allowing for an exciting rivalry to develop, it was an exciting time for the Beauts. With great enthusiasm and a respect for community, Oliver’s efforts set a positive example for others in the organization. Through numerous posts on social media featuring the charitable efforts of the proud Beauts, allowing the fans a window into an enjoyable world shared by a love of the game, the smiles on all the faces served as the defining result of such admirable outreach.

Although the Beauts and the entire PHF deserved a better outcome, Oliver’s strong leadership remained evident in the aftermath. With a flood of emotions, there was an understandable feeling of sadness for Oliver. As many playing careers reached an abrupt end, many players possibly feeling stranded during this time, it was a burden not lost on Oliver. Despite the fact that the events leading to the folding of team and league alike were beyond the control of many, a highly emotional component still remains.

Such concern strengthened the connection that still exists with Beauts alumni,. From day one, the collaboration with others that called the Beauts their hockey home stood as a significant hallmark for Oliver. Marking a shared journey towards building a franchise and strengthening a fan base, the human element made the effort worthwhile. 

“The people. Definitely the people. Both for what I enjoyed the most about the Beauts and for what I miss about the Beauts. That has been the hardest part. I was devastated and in a really dark place when we lost the team because the Beauts had been my life. I think that there was also a part of me that felt an unfounded sense of guilt because I wanted to save all of the players and the staff from the heartbreak they were all experiencing, and there was nothing I could truly do other than to be caring and nurturing as best as I could. 

Many of the staff members like Darlene Eckhardt our athletic trainer and Josh Wager our equipment manager and I had worked alongside each other for what would have been five straight seasons. So, you miss seeing people like that at the rink each day. I miss all of my players terribly, and I am still very proud of all of them – whether they played one game for me or four full seasons. 

I keep in touch with most of them – lives get busy and people move onto other things, so I certainly understand that. I enjoy seeing the people that each of them continue to become. I guess the most rewarding thing for me is that I still have players reach out to me for advice or to bounce ideas off of me. It makes me feel like I made at least somewhat of a difference in their lives that they still come to me for those types of things.” 

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”