It’s quite a contrast to Disney on Ice, which is set to take place at UBS Arena on Wednesday. The cast from the Canadian hockey series “Shoresea” will hit the ice, going head-to-head with well-known Islanders alumni like Benoît Hogue, Josh Bailey, Cal Clutterbuck, and Matt Martin.
“I think there’s a competitive edge here; they want to beat us former NHL players, and we certainly want to do the same,” Hogue shared.
The 59-year-old Stanley Cup champion expressed a little uncertainty about his performance, saying, “I’m not sure how long I can keep up my speed, but I’ll give it my all every time I step on the ice.”
This event stems from the cult classic series, which has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, about a small-town Ontario hockey team nearly facing extinction. The show’s popularity led fans to request an actual game with the cast, to their surprise.
Terry Ryan, who plays the humorous Ted Hitchcock, described working with the team as a “great experience,” noting how surreal it was to see fans sporting Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs jerseys at different events like Islanders games.
Ryan, who had a brief stint with the Montreal Canadiens in the ’90s, admitted he never imagined the show would gain such a global audience; perhaps, he guessed, it was just a Canadian thing.
As of now, Ryan, alongside creator and actor Jared Keeso (better known as the abrasive player Shoresy), is touring across North America, competing against former NHL players in cities like Detroit, Boston, and Toronto.
“I really didn’t expect to be playing in front of thousands again, much less in an NHL arena,” Ryan reflected on the Shoresea Classic tour, which has included stops in Los Angeles and Edmonton. “This wasn’t part of the show’s original plan, so it’s a wild and exciting experience to do something I’ve always wanted to.”
It’s also an opportunity to revisit memories, as many “Shoresea” actors have anecdotes regarding the opposing teams. Ryan reminisced about an interview he had with the Islanders before the 1995 draft, where he humorously recounted a question from then GM Mike Milbury about what he’d do if he met a girl just before curfew.
“I thought maybe he’d take it as a joke,” Ryan laughed, remembering how he suggested a brief encounter before needing to return on time.
The Game Ahead
On a different note, the lineup for the “Shoresea” team, including former minor leaguer-turned-rapper Jonathan Diaby, who plays “Dro,” is set to face off Wednesday night against the Islanders’ alumni team. This squad is led by Brian Trottier, a six-time Stanley Cup champion, along with Sean Bates and several other notable players.
Hogue jokingly expressed his hopes for the younger players and talked about scoring an empty netter. On “Shoresea,” brothers Brandon and Jordan Nolan, who take on two characters named Jim and are known for their physical style, are gearing up for the challenge as well.
Ultimately, it’s unclear who will step up for the game. Ryan mentioned they’re prepared to bring their best performance.
“I can move just fine,” Diaby added, recalling growing up playing against NHL talents.
And if things heat up on the ice? Hogue is ready for that too, noting, “I expect a bit of conflict, but I’m cool with it.”
Shoresy can be streamed on Hulu in the US.
