Former Merritt Centennial Dylan Playfair makes his on-screen debut this Sunday at 8 p.m. PT in the CBC documentary film Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Howe Story.
Playfair, 20, plays the iconic Howe’s oldest son, Marty, in the feature-length biopic that chronicles the legendary Detroit Red Wings’ return to pro hockey at the age of 45 with the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association.
Both Marty and Howe’s younger son, Mark, played alongside their father with both WHA teams.
The son of former NHLer Jim Playfair, Dylan played one season, 2010-11, with the BCHL’s Merritt Centennials. In 42 regular-season and playoff games, the 5’11”, 190-pound forward garnered just two assists while racking up 56 minutes in penalties.
The personable and very articulate Playfair was extremely popular with teammates, the Cents’ coaching staff and local hockey fans.
Born in Fort St. James, the much-traveled Playfair had every intention of following his famous father and uncle, Larry, into the world of professional hockey.
As a result of several concussions sustained while playing the sport, Playfair put his hockey career “on ice,” so-to-speak, and turned his attention to another one of his passions, acting, with dreams of being the next Taylor Kitsch – Canadian star of the hit television series Friday Night Lights and the Disney blockbuster John Carter.
“I’d heard his name around the rink because my coach used to play against him. I started researching his story and saw so much of myself in him. He blew out his knee at 19; I had a bad set of concussions at 19. He didn’t really know what to do, but found his way to New York and eventually got into film. I knew I didn’t want to play hockey anymore, so I tried to follow his path.”
Playfair has found the acting world to be no less challenging or competitive than hockey, and is more than ready for the long haul.
Nicknamed ‘Mr. Hockey’ and ‘Mr. Elbows’, Gordie Howe played an unprecedented five decades in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association.
The Gordie Howe Story stars Saving Hope actor Michael Shanks in the lead role, along with former 90210 co-star Kathleen Robertson as Gordie’s wife and manager, Colleen. Andy Herr plays Mark Howe.
