Get Ready for a Hockey Showdown: Shoresy vs. Islanders Legends
The ice at UBS Arena is set to host a unique clash of titans, a far cry from the graceful glides of “Disney On Ice.” The cast of the hit Canadian hockey TV series “Shoresy” is trading acting for action, lacing up their skates for a gritty battle against a lineup of legendary New York Islanders alumni.
The alumni team boasts impressive names like Benoit Hogue, Josh Bailey, Cal Clutterbuck, and Matt Martin, promising a competitive and entertaining contest. “I’m sure they want to beat us, being former NHL guys, and I think we want to do the same thing,” Hogue stated, highlighting the competitive spirit driving both sides. Despite being a Stanley Cup champion, Hogue, now 59, acknowledged the potential challenges: “I don’t know if my speed is going to be there, but every time I compete in something, I’m going to try to do my best and try to win.”
The “Shoresy” phenomenon, a cult classic with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, centers around a small-town Ontario hockey team teetering on the brink of collapse. The show’s popularity has exploded, leading to fan demand for live games featuring the cast, much to the surprise of the actors themselves.
Terry Ryan, who plays the memorable forward Ted Hitchcock, expressed his astonishment at the show’s success. “I was just happy to have a job,” he said, adding that seeing fans sporting fictional Sudbury Blueberry Bulldog jerseys at events like Islanders games is “surreal.” Ryan, a former Montreal Canadiens player, described himself as a “first-round nothing” and an “NHL footnote,” never anticipating the show’s global reach. “I really didn’t see it becoming such a worldwide thing — maybe Canadian,” he admitted.
Ryan now joins creator and actor Jared Keeso (Shoresy himself), along with other cast members, on a North American tour, facing off against seasoned NHL alumni in hockey towns across the continent, including Detroit, Boston, and Toronto.
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“I never thought I’d be playing in front of thousands of people again, let alone selling out National Hockey League arenas,” Ryan said of the “Shoresy Classic” circuit, which has also included stops in Los Angeles and Edmonton. “Playing hockey games wasn’t part of this show’s plan,” he added. “So it’s wild, it’s fun that we get to do what we always loved to do.”
The games also offer a chance for the “Shoresy” cast to reconnect with their hockey past, with many having personal stories related to the organizations they are playing against. Ryan shared an anecdote about an interview with the Islanders before the 1995 draft. He recalled then-general manager Mike Milbury asking what Ryan would do if he met a girl 10 minutes before the team’s curfew. Ryan’s response: to spend five minutes with her and still make curfew.
“I figured maybe he could take a joke,” Ryan laughed. “And I knew he wasn’t going to pick me … so there was a chance for me to spread my creative wings in that meeting.”
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The Islanders alumni team facing “Shoresy” is a formidable one. Coached by six-time Stanley Cup winner Bryan Trottier and playoff penalty shot hero Shawn Bates, the roster also includes Matt Moulson, Johnny Boychuk, Thomas Griess, and enforcers Steve Webb and Eric Cairns.
“Hopefully the young guys can make the plays, and I can just stand somewhere and get the puck, and then hopefully I get an empty netter,” Hogue joked, highlighting the experience and skill of the alumni team.
The “Shoresy” side also has some hockey pedigree. Former Islanders coach Ted Nolan’s sons, ex-NHL players Brandon Nolan and Jordan Nolan, are set to play. On the show, the brothers portray two characters, both named Jim, known for their physical play and willingness to engage in on-ice altercations.
Whether the Nolans or anyone else decides to drop the gloves remains to be seen. “We’ll see what happens,” said Ryan, adding that his squad is ready for a tough game.
Jonathan Diaby, a former minor leaguer turned rapper who plays “Dolo” on the show, emphasized the cast’s commitment to staying in shape. “Everybody stays busy, stays in shape,” Diaby said. “We’re still able to move, and the legs are still good.” Diaby also shared connections to the Islanders organization, having grown up playing with Anthony Duclair and against Jonathan Drouin.
Hogue anticipates a physical game. “I’m sure there’s going to be a little bumping out there,” he said, adding that he started watching the show after agreeing to play in the game. “But I’m fine with that.”
Fans can stream “Shoresy” on Hulu.
