From award-winning actors to Grammy-winning singers, hockey has an interesting fanbase. Some have taken their fandom to a much deeper level.
Not many Hollywood actors have their own Elite Prospects page, but Steve Carell is one of them.
Before he was appearing on the small and big screens, Carell tended the crease with Denison University of the ACHA. While the hopes of making it to the NHL didn’t work out, he’s still been able to show off a few of his skills on camera to remind of us his past on ice.
What’s the first role with true notoriety in North America for Keanu Reaves? To many, they’d probably say Youngblood. Reaves’ history in the game goes back far longer than his role as the goalie of the film’s Hamilton Mustangs. Reeves spent time playing for De La Salle College and earned himself a tryout with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires.
In his own words, he said he didn’t dream of an NHL career and “never wanted it to become too serious”.
Safe to say while a career in hockey wasn’t in his plans, his acting career has been a successful venture.
TV star? Check. DJ? Check. Hotel Heiress? Check. Hockey player? Yes. Really.
The socialite played a year of high school hockey as a forward at Canterbury School in New Medford, Conn in 1998-99.
She still loves the game and has shown up at Los Angeles Kings games through the years, too.
Today’s he’s in the family business. But Captain America once had a hockey career, tending the crease in various junior leagues, the NCAA and even a few professional stints in Germany and Holland before retiring in 2010.
Russell would strap on the pads again during NHL All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas for the breakaway challenge, and he showed he can still get it done.
Denis Leary
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more diehard Boston Bruins fan in Hollywood than Denis Leary. For many years, the actor has played in various charity games and celebrity games and has some serious skill to boot.
In the past, Leary has also hosted various charity games to help firefighters in need.
Matthew Perry
Chandler Bing appeared at some New York Rangers games in Friends, but the actor behind the man also played the game a bit, too.
The Ottawa-raised Perry appeared in numerous NHL commercials during the 1990s, and after growing up playing the game back home, he had no problem showing off some skills. He also took part in the Hockey Hollywood Cup in 1996 at the NHL Breakout event near the Santa Monica Pier.
Justin Bieber
The music phenom’s ability to play the game is well-documented, from skates with the Toronto Maple Leafs, to celebrity games, to challenging Jordan Binnington to a shootout. The love for the sport has never left him no matter where his career in music takes him.
Maybe Avril Lavigne was truly thinking about hockey when she wrote “Sk8er Boi”. The Canadian music icon grew up with the sport in her blood and even played on the Napanee District High School’s women’s team.
Lavine would play until she turned 16 when she signed a recording contract and soon thereafter became a worldwide music star after the success of her debut album “Let It Go” in 2002. It’s safe to say it was a solid career path on her part.
When you think Taylor Kitsch, football might come to mind thanks to his portrayal of Tim Riggins on NBC’s Friday Night Lights. But once upon a time ago, he was riding busses in the world of junior hockey. Before a knee injury ended his hockey career, Kitsch spent time in the AJHL, SJHL and BCHLand put up a career-high of 23 points in 36 games with the Langley Hornets in 2000-01.
While a pro career may not have been in the cards, a modeling and film career has led to far greater success.
The Playfair name is well known in hockey circles, and Dylan Playfair has played a part in that. The former junior league player may not have followed his father Jim into an NHL career as a player and coach but he’s still been able to stay close to his hockey roots as an actor.
Playfair, who had stints in the KIJHL and BCHL, has started in hockey-related roles in Odd Man Rush, Letterkenny and The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers.
