It's a TV series about people trying to get a chance to be invited at the training camp of one of the Canadian NHL teams. It will air on CBC in the Fall - and RDS in French. It's open to players 19 years old and more that are unsigned by pro teams.

Making the cut

The first step is to show up at one of the tryouts. They will select the top 68 players who will attend the training camp (with coach Scotty Bowman and Mike Keenan). I think after that they keep 32 players and split them in two teams. They eliminate players at each stage until they are left with the best six. The winners are invited to NHL training camps and have a chance to make the team.

Gosh if I was younger and had a better back and knee, I just may sign up. frown

Tonight (December 14) is the two hour season finale of the series. We will find out who are the chosen six.

They could have to wait for long if there is no training camp next year due to labour problems...

I wonder what they'd do if the NHL opened up camps and tried replacement players as MLB tried in 1995.

How was the series? Was it strictly hockey-related events that narrowed the field or did they resort to all the "reality" gimmicks (gross eating contests, alliances, voting someone out, etc.)?

No reality gimmicks. It was about following a two week training camp, and having a shot at making the NHL. It was a reality show in the sense of a real event rather than a game show. There were no voting off by others, alliances etc. Eliminations were based on hockey ability.

They did some fitness tests and met with a sports psychologist, but it was mostly playing on the ice that was the determinant factor I think. After the practice games they showed the evaluators discussing the players. To fill spots some who were cut wore black helmets and still had the chance to be brought up to regular player.

It was not the average person who was there. A couple of 30+ men but those who made it were early 20s guys. Most participants (if not all) had played in the Juniors.

On the final show they did 4 skills competition like they do the day before the all-star game, with the 18 finalists. The order of the draft was at random.

The Oilers had the first pick and they chose Jordan Little, a defenceman who plays at the University of Manitoba.

The Canucks chose James Demone, a 6'6" defenceman. He played in Portland and Prince Albert in the WHL and at University of Lethbridge.

Ottawa picked a goalie, Michael Mole.

The Flames, Matt Hubbauer.
Hubbauer player card

He attended the Red Wings camp in 2002 and Bruins camp in 2003 as a free agent.

Bob Gainey for the Canadiens drafted Kevin Lavallée, a defenceman who played in Germany's second division.

And the Leafs drafted Dominic Noel. He is shirtless in his player card profile.
Noel player card

For those only interested in the shirtless player cards, replace the last number in the URL and replace with the following numbers:

6, 14, 22, 45, 58 (other from the 18 finalists)

12, 18, 21, 34, 35, 38, 39, 49, 54, 55, 60, 71

Don't know if they are testing the shirtless hockey card to introduce in the NHL.

What a body!

It would be great if this series got picked up by a US outlet but I'm not holding my breath...

"Don't know if they are testing the shirtless hockey card to introduce in the NHL"

dunno, but what a great idea

I watched a bit of the series, and the only reason IMO that Dominic Periard didn't get picked was that Keenan wanted him for himself and the Panthers

Now that is a hockey hunk! wink

I'm thinking whatshisname, from "Slapshot." Ah, who was that? Don't me put the video back in the VCR.

Hey, Troy Mallette (aka the hottest NHL player of the 90s) already gave that a try with the Rangers back in '91:
Troy's 1991 hockey card

I didn't know about that card. Maybe someone could try another to see if it catches on!

I think a second serie of Making the Cut was planned. If there is no season it would be strange to go ahead with another one.

The finalists can still enjoy one of their prizes, a Mazda RX8.