In 2004, while the NHL lockout shifted Canadians’ passions to pursuits off the ice, the CBC presented Making The Cut, a reality show based on a tryout camp where players had a chance to win one of six spots at an NHL training camp.
The show was a ratings bust. But those of us who bothered to watch believe this is the standard for sports-based reality TV programs. Well, it’s back. It’s better this time around. But now it’s on Global.
There are a lot of similarities between the two seasons. The action is back in Vernon, B.C., which makes for a nice bus ride between the resort and the rink. And back in charge are coaching legend Mike Keenan and scouting legend Jack Birch.
A couple of differences as well. Last time, they cluttered the ice with 68 players at camp. This time, it’s a leaner, and if you saw any of the hockey, meaner group of 36. And this year, it’s called Making The Cut: Last Man Standing. One player will not only win a trip to an NHL camp but will also win a $250,000 endorsement contract and the services of a player agent. Not bad for an undrafted player.
The teams this time are divided by east and west. Through the premiere hour, we are introduced to a lot of the guys. The names just flash by relatively quickly … Ricky McLaren, Dylan Stanley, Jeff Harvey. There’s also Daniel Jacob, who was one of the top 18 from the previous season, out to give it one more try.
Of course, Reebok (sorry, Rbk) is heavily involved (you knew the sponsor had to be prominent). And the place is filled with scouts and coaches operating the camp.
Here is where season two is better than season one. On day two, a loud boom box placed in the middle of the hallway wakes the guys up very early for a gruelling cross-country run. Unlike last time, you know this is going to be a much tougher camp. The players are truly going to have to earn this one.
The fun part though is that there’s a lot of opportunity to see the camaraderie between the players, on the bus, and in the resort. Hockey players know whatever animosity you have for the other guy is exclusive to the ice.
The first scrimmage was supposed to be a light game to get accustomed to the equipment. The guys from the west (the red team) didn’t see it that way. The hitting began, and it was hard. After two periods, the eastern (white) team started to retaliate, and unfortunately, the best guy on the red team, Eric Felde of Anchorage, Alaska, separated his shoulder. It was clear the animosity between the two teams was starting to heat up, and it carried right over to the first real evaluation game which the white team won in a shootout. Game two was equally intense with guys knowing they had to impress Keenan and the scouting staff. Unfortunately for many, it wasn’t enough as the first and deepest cuts were made.
This is going to be an intense series and should be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, except for the Saturday night premiere, Global is going to hide this on Sunday afternoons around their football coverage. Nonetheless, for this hockey fan, it will be interesting to see who is the last man standing.
A whole lot more interesting than NHL pre-season and early-season games, I can tell you that.
