Feature Photo: Minor Leaguer Movie
Hockey legend Teemu Selanne can now add the role of movie star to his lofty list of impressive accomplishments.
“Minor Leaguer” features Selanne and fellow Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, Brett Hull, playing themselves in lead roles and will be available for purchase or rent Aug. 1 on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Selanne, who recorded 1,457 points in 1,451 NHL games while winning a Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, was initially hesitant to accept the role.
“When Dan [Comrie] introduced me to this whole thing, I told him I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do that,” Selanne said of being approached by the producer, director and actor.
“But after I looked at the script and I was playing someone opposite of myself, in terms of personality, it started to interest me.”
Having the stamp of approval from his family, including his wife, Sirpa, who has a minor role in the movie, sealed the deal.
“They encouraged me to do it. My wife has a couple of little parts in the movie and those are my favourite moments.”
Beloved in NHL circles and beyond for his big-time talent and humble personality, Selanne plays a polar opposite character in “Minor Leaguer”, which was filmed in San Diego, California.
The plot revolves around Jake McKay, played by Dan Comrie, who dreamt of becoming an NHL star just like his childhood idol, Selanne.
Although his own NHL goals didn’t pan out, McKay found a rewarding career in the fictional Old West Hockey League as the longtime captain of the Hemel Hawks.
When McKay discovers Selanne is the new owner of the team, elation turns to bitter disappointment when he discovers the man known as the Finnish Flash is not who he thought he was.
Selanne appoints himself as the team’s new head coach and general manager and makes life miserable for everyone, including his archenemy, Hull.
Cue the on-screen mayhem.
“Brett was so natural,” praised Selanne of the two-time Stanley Cup champion, who scored 741 career goals over 19 NHL seasons. “I always joke with him, that he is playing a character that is more of himself. He is funny and he was great. It was easier for him, I think. He did a great job.”
Selanne took away a lot from the experience, including working at a much different pace than he was used to on the ice.
“I learned how to handle and be patient. I have more of an appreciation for the real actors when they film something for six months or longer.
“Everything takes time to shoot. You film two minutes, five minutes or 10 minutes, and then you have to wait 25 or 20 minutes for the next scene.
“When you are used to such a high pace, it is very different and takes time to get used to.”
As did playing the so-called bad guy in his movie debut.
“I was happy to take on the challenge and step outside of my comfort zone. I was almost embarrassed to say certain things and act like that. But that is why it is so interesting – it was kind of cool.”
Simply being himself, while playing a different version of himself, turned out to be the right approach for Selanne.
“You try to be as natural as you can in front of the camera, but it’s not the easiest thing.
“When you don’t think about that you are acting and try to forget the cameras are there, that is when you are in the right mode. But it takes time to get comfortable.”
Eventually, Selanne did.
It was helpful advice, early on from Comrie, which helped him take everything in stride.
“Dan would tell me, ‘Just enjoy it. Have fun. Don’t worry if you mess up.’ Early on, I was reading the script and trying to say it as it was written. But that didn’t work at all. You have to understand the story and interpret it in your own way. Then it came more naturally.”
That said, filming “Minor Leaguer” was far more nerve-wracking than playing in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“In front of a camera, it makes you more nervous, for sure. Even if you screw up in a movie, you get a chance to do it again and again. In hockey, you can’t take a bad play back. Playing hockey since you were a kid, you don’t get nervous. But when you do something that you have never done, it does make you nervous.
“It was fun. It was obviously something I would not normally do, but it was a great experience.”
Does that mean he intends on becoming the hockey version of Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds or the next James Bond?
“You never know,” he said with a laugh. “It was fun, but I don’t think it will go beyond this.”
While several NFL, NBA and MLB players have starred in movies, this is the first time a former NHL player, or in this instance, two former players, are in lead roles. “Minor Leaguer” also includes appearances from former NHL players Scottie Upshall and Shane O’Brien,
Selanne hopes people who watch the movie will get as much enjoyment from it as he did in making it.
“When we first released the trailer, people were caught off guard. I think it is funny, a comedy that I hope people can laugh and enjoy.”
Outside of his new role, Selanne is keeping an eye on the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.
The highly anticipated international tournament will showcase some of the top NHL players suiting up for the United States, Finland, Canada and Sweden.
No stranger to playing for his country, Selanne appeared in six Olympic Games to earn three bronze medals and one silver, is looking forward to seeing how Finland fares against its rivals in the games to be played in Boston and Montreal, from Feb. 12 to 20.
"There are some real superstars on this Finnish team," praised Selanne.
This June, 4 Nations Face-Off rosters featuring six players from each team were announced. Finland named Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes), Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers), Miro Heiskanen (Dallas Stars), Esa Lindell (Dallas Stars), Mikko Rantanen (Colorado Avalanche) and Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators) to their lineup.
Selanne, however, won't be coming out of retirement to join his countrymen in February.
"No!" he said with a laugh. "It's more fun now on this side, to watch these great players represent Finland.
"When I was playing for the national team, we didn't have the depth there, but I am super excited about these young guys right now and I think they can surprise people at this tournament."
Selanne remains a huge fan of the game and Finnish hockey.
"We have only 5.5 million people in Finland, but there are so many great hockey players right now who are a big part of their NHL team's success.
"We are so proud of our hockey and our players."