About The Documentary
A harsh winter in Canada’s Muskoka, where players face sub-zero temperatures, contrasts with New Zealand, where hockey is just starting to take root. Yet, between these two far-apart nations, there’s one thing they share: a deep love for the game of hockey.
The Hockey Film is a powerful documentary that goes beyond the rink to explore the lives of the people who live and breathe the sport. From players and coaches to fans, families, and rink staff, the film highlights the everyday individuals whose passion, dedication, and love for the game shape the vibrant, tight-knit community of hockey. This is a celebration of the sport, showing how it unites people from all walks of life and becomes a driving force in their lives.
A FILM ON HOCKEY LIKE NO OTHER
THE CONCEPT
It begins with an idea. What if the cameras and spotlight were turned away from the professionals, and directed on the rest of us?
GRASSROOTS
A documentary that tells stories most of us can relate to. How we got hooked, where the game took us. What hockey means to us.
THE FINAL PRODUCT
A passionate film featuring stories from fans and players alike, around the world from Canada to New Zealand.
The Filmmaker
Christopher Aylward
Hello, hockey fans! I’m Christopher Aylward, Cinematographer, founder of Cinematic North, and the filmmaker behind The Hockey Film. My passion for film and photography started at a young age, and I’ve always loved every part of the process—whether it’s brainstorming fresh ideas, capturing the footage, or piecing it all together in the edit. I’ve always believed in following what you love, because life’s too short not to.
The Hockey Film is a documentary that’s been years in the making. What started as an idea for a short, local hockey film has turned into a full-length, grassroots documentary that captures the heart and soul of the game. After nearly a decade of development—endless revisions, setbacks, and incredible experiences meeting amazing people and attending remarkable hockey events—the film is finally ready to share.
Featuring stories from hockey enthusiasts in Canada, the U.S., and as far away as New Zealand, the film showcases a diverse range of perspectives on the game. It’s about more than just the professional stats or the fame—it’s about our collective love and passion for hockey. It’s about the fans, the players, and the moments that connect us all.
I’m excited for you to experience the film, and I hope it resonates with you just as much as it has with me throughout this journey.
The Making of a Film
Taking the Draw
The Filmmaker with The Travelling Goalie
In Haliburton for the Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships
Meeting of the Goalies
"Skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been."
Walter Gretzky
Film Updates
The latest film news and updates on the grassroots documentary, The Hockey Film.