Terry Ryan is living a hockey player’s dream. It’s not exactly what he grew up dreaming of.
One of the stars of the hit show “Shoresy,” the hockey-centric comedy that has served as a love letter to sports and cultural tastes alike, Ryan will join his classmates (all of whom are also hockey players achieving varying levels of success) on Dec. 10 at UBS Arena on Long Island as part of the Shorescy Fall Classic, a multistop tour across Canada and the United States, where the cast typically plays for that NHL team. Play games against alumni.
“Aaron Asham is one of my best friends in the world. I played junior and pro with him,” Ryan said of the retired 15-year NHL veteran who played four seasons. New York Islanders“So I’m waiting for that,”
The pace of the game is higher than most people think, the 48-year-old said, adding, “We’re not trying to hurt each other or anything, but it’s just a step up from a regular game.”
“It’s a very unique experience. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything like it, with fans cheering for both teams,” he said. “Even if we lose — we’ve been losing most games — we’re not getting discouraged, and I think people walk away appreciating that, you know, we’re all actors in the show, but we’re all hockey players. We’re a pretty good team. We hang in there.”
The program, which also includes a Q&A with the cast, was inspired by the massive popularity of the show, which will release its fifth season on Christmas Day in Canada and on Hulu in early 2026 (its parent show, “Letterkenny,” completed 12 seasons and 81 episodes).
As for Ryan, he was the No. 8 pick in the 1995 draft montreal canadiensAnd achieved his dream of playing in the NHL – but only played eight games with the Habs. He then spent six seasons with different AHL teams, when his NHL dreams were cut short due to an ankle injury.
The Newfoundland native continued playing in various leagues while pursuing another career – film and television. But not as an actor.
“I’ve got a Bachelor of Arts degree in Folklore and English, and a Film Studies certificate within that. I worked in a crew, I mean like on location [scouting]Production Assistant, AD. I was like ‘how high to jump’ for six years,” he said. “Then I moved on, I did some stunts, and then because I don’t have teeth, I got to play some roles, like, you know, British soldiers, goons, pimps, drug dealers, things like that. …my entry into this world was very different than other people’s [on the Shoresy cast],
Eventually, Ryan met a Hollywood star who took him under her wing.
“There’s a show called ‘Frontier’ on Netflix. I was on the crew, I was waiting to get into the union. I met Jason Momoa. He came along [producers] And gave me a chance,” Ryan said. “I had no teeth, Momoa said, ‘Put the teeth out. I can get you some stunt programs.
“Five seconds into the show, the first face you see is me. It’s a British soldier begging for his life, and I obviously have no teeth… They gave me that role. That’s how I got into it.”
Ryan and Momoa also loved hockey. Ryan taught Momoa and the crew members how to skate (in Momoa’s case, the specifics).
“I don’t know how many times we went on the ice, probably 100 times,” Ryan recalled.
Ryan also taught Momoa the ins and outs of hockey fighting.
“When we first [fought]I just shook him off and beat him in the fight,” Ryan said. “I said, ‘It’s all about balance, man. You can be as big as you want.’
“Anyway, he laughed… Trust me, even if he hits me with one, it won’t matter. [Momoa] wanted to get into a hockey fight [in the second season of ‘Frontier’]So, like, I am [wearing] The British red coat, and he pulls that thing up, and he simulates a hockey fight.”
Momoa helped Ryan get several stunt gigs and even hired Ryan as his assistant for a while. Ultimately, “Letterkenny” was called for the role of Ted Hitchcock, a beloved hockey player from Newfoundland who had a penchant for “Martoonies”, which led to “Shoresy”.
And now, the show and the cast are enjoying a level of success that allows them to play in hockey games against NHL players across North America, with thousands of people cheering them on from the stands. In a very roundabout way, a version of Ryan’s hockey dreams came true.
Proceed:
games of the week
what i liked this weekend
Hart Trophy candidates
social post of the week
paste tap
biggest games of the week
I’m joining “Look at Each One” colorado avalanche Game” field. I saw them live at Madison Square Garden on Saturday for the first time this season, and it was incredibly fun. nathan mackinnon He had two goals, including a wicked backhand overtime winner under the crossbar that he made look absolutely effortless.
1:08
Nathan MacKinnon skates through the Rangers defense to score a spectacular OT winner
Nathan MacKinnon made a sweet move and scored on the backhand to give the Avalanche the overtime win.
We’re focusing a lot on Denver’s team’s lack of regulation – only two so far this season. But now we can start tracking the numbers in general, as the Avs are on pace for 58 wins and 134 points this season.
This would be the second-most points by any team in a season in NHL history, behind the 2022-23 Bruins (135).
If things keep going, the Avalanche have a chance to make history. He has prepared a solid foundation for this. They have players. Could they do it?
The mid-December weeks during the regular season may fly somewhat under the radar, but these are the weeks where history-chasing teams work and build in the shadows. AVS visit Nashville Predators On Tuesday, host Florida Panthers Have the Preds at home on Thursday and again on Saturday. This could be a three-win week for a dominant NHL team.
Other major sports of this week
Monday, 9 pm espn+
Tuesday, 7 pm espn+
Tuesday, 7 pm espn+
Thursday, 7 pm espn+
Thursday, 7 pm espn
Thursday, 7 pm espn+
Thursday, 8 pm | espn+
Saturday, 7 pm espn+
Saturday, 8 pm | espn+
Sunday, 6 pm espn+
what i liked this weekend
Murat Ates of Athletic wrote a story about the mental health journey of winnipeg jets Ahead Gabriel VilardiThe story, which includes Vilardi’s raw and honest reflections, is equal parts fascinating and emotional, This quote from Vilardi was particularly humbling and certainly something many athletes go through during sports:
“For me, negative self-talk isn’t just a panic attack; it’s something I deal with very often. And it goes on. It starts with a play. Then it’s like, ‘Oh—, I have to get ready for that play.’ Then it stretches to three shifts because you’re still thinking in your mind that you have to make up for it. Next thing you know, she’s having a period and it’s like, ‘F—, I only have two periods left.’ I was in my own mind the entire first period.”
Sports psychologist Dr. Alicia Nassar – who works with NHL players seattle kraken Ahead shane wright And calgary flames Center john beecher — along with other professional athletes — have helped normalize discussions, particularly through their social media content, which contains knowledge and actionable items related to mental health and performance that can benefit anyone watching or reading.
Hart Trophy contenders if the season ended today
Nathan MacKinnon three times. That’s it.
But in reality, McKinnon clearly remains on the list. He is currently on pace for 70 goals and 140 points this season; If he reaches those totals, he will be the fifth player in NHL history to do so, joining Wayne Gretzky (who did it four times), Mario Lemieux (twice), Bernie Nichols (1988–89) and Phil Esposito (1970–71). It would be MacKinnon’s first 70-goal season since Teemu Selanne and Alexander Mogilny in 1992–93 (both with 76 goals).
As for the second contender, he goes connor mcdavidHe moved up to second in the points race, now six points behind MacKinnon with 42; He also leads the league in assists (28),
In fact, this could be the week it becomes a two-player race. For that reason, I’m giving both of them another nod in this section conor bedard And McLean CelebriniBecause one (or both) may be removed from office as early as next week. Although I hope I’m wrong.
social media post of the week
It’s definitely not 6-7 cam on MSG, or Sam Bennett participating in the trend,
my favorite this week Big Z, the new hockey fan on TikTokIt seems as if every few years someone goes viral (at least in the hockey bubble) to showcase how exciting hockey is, It’s fun to live vicariously with someone who is experiencing the same joy we all once had as hockey fans,
Big Z’s happy to see Alex Ovechkin And Dustin Byfuglien delivering a check, or bemoaning the Red Wings shootout loss (but still saying he needs to buy a jersey), is brilliant.
paste tap
The Washington Capitals have partnered with WWE to release a limited edition collab for John Cena’s final WWE match before his retirement on Saturday. The shirt features Cena wearing a Caps hat and holding a towel in his iconic pose that reads “Let’s Go Caps.”
now is the time #allcaps x @JohnCena Support in celebration of their final match!
Fans who purchase through the special link will receive a special t-shirt and tickets #capscan This Thursday, December 11th.
https://t.co/IzoZjSdSrq pic.twitter.com/iAkVHjBx12
– Washington Capitals (@Capitals) 5 December 2025
I’m in favor of more partnerships like this. City-specific merchandise is increasing and often becomes collector’s items. WWE also has specific championship belts for teams in several sports, including the NHL.
