NHL's Amazon 'Drive to Survive' show to feature Canucks captain Quinn Hughes (2024)

It was obvious months ago, but now it’s official: Quinn Hughes is a budding TV star.

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The NHL confirmed Thursday morning that Hughes is among the league’s stars who have been taking part in filming for a new Amazon Prime series, which is still yet to be titled.

The production company behind the new show, Box to Box Films, is the team that created the super-popular Formula One-focused Drive to Survive series for Netflix. Box to Box has also produced highly successful shows on professional golf and tennis for Netflix.

According to the league, the series will feature interviews with players but also “those in their closest inner circle,” like teammates, coaches and family.

“The series will also reveal what life on-and-off the ice is really like for the league’s top players. From the quiet reflective moments to the speed and intensity of being on hockey’s biggest stage — revealing the talent, grit, and sacrifice it takes to make it in the NHL,” the league’s announcement said.

Hughes told Postmedia during the 2023-24 season, when filming began, he was careful to comment because the series had yet to be officially announced, though it was obvious what was going on. Film cameras were on the scene beginning in late March.

“It’s a great opportunity for whoever does it,” Hughes said at the time. “It’s a lot of exposure and people seeing what your life is like, how hard the league is and how guys take care of themselves.

“It’s going to be great for the guys who are doing it. We’ll see what happens. They have options because there are so many great players.”

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Other players in the series include the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and Florida Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk, whose teams are set to meet in the Stanley Cup Final. Filming has continued through the ongoing Stanley Cup playoffs.

Paul Martin, co-founder of Box to Box and one of the executive producers of the new series, said the goal was to “stay true to the world of ice hockey.”

“The sport is as beautiful, skilful and graceful, as it is brutal, pressurized and powerful; and we aim to balance the energetic and fast-paced action leading up to the Stanley Cup Final, with the quiet and raw drama taking place off the ice,” Martin said in a statement released by the NHL.

The NHL’s chief content office, Steve Mayer, said the production has the full support of the league and its players.

“This is so meaningful for our league. Box To Box has revolutionized modern storytelling for Formula One, golf and tennis,” he said.

Other players slated to appear in the series are Boston’s Jeremy Swayman and David Pastrnak, the Rangers’ Jacob Trouba, Vegas’ Jack Eichel, Toronto’s William Nylander, Nashville’s Filip Forsberg and Colorado’s Gabriel Landeskog.

— with files from Ben Kuzma

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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