Making the Cut, Episode 2: The First Cuts – Team Bowman

Before we get started, I wanted to give you a bit of information about Making the Cut that I wasn't aware of, but that one of my readers let me know about. The show airs on the CBC in English and on the French channel as well, obviously in French. I knew that part. The thing is, the show is not exactly the same on both channels. The French version profiles mostly French players (which makes sense). The English version tends to highlight both English and French players with perhaps a little more emphasis on the English players. So, if you're watching the show in French and wondering what the heck I'm talking about here in my recap, now you know.

Just before the show begins, there is a little promo for a new show, and the woman also gives us a little information about how Making the Cut came about. Derek Murray is the creator and executive producer. He spent many years playing and coaching hockey, and heard countless stories of players that were close, but never made it to the NHL. With this idea, and the dreams of thousands of young hopefuls in his mind, he came up with the idea for Making the Cut. Armed with this new information, it's time for the show!

We get a brief recap of last week's tryouts, and then the awesome intro starts! I still can't get enough of the opener although I think it should be longer. It gets me going every time.

The boys are all arriving in BC and meeting at the airport. We see a flash of players stating where they're from... "Surrey, Winnipeg, Wetaskawin, Ottawa, Ontario..." The list goes on. We learn that these 68 boys competing are from 10 provinces and 53 cities and towns across Canada. They start to receive their numbers, which will stay with them throughout the competition. Harkins, #27; MacGillvary, #45... From now on, I'll refer to them this way or just by their last names. It'll make it easier as the series progresses.

The boys will be staying at the Silver Star Resort in Vernon, BC. This will be their home base for the next two weeks. There will be no TV, radios or cell phones during their time at training camp. They'll also be sharing rooms - two per room. The first two we see are MacGillvary and Muswagon, #42. They'll be roomies and MacGillvary snags first dibs on the bed by the window. The boys introduce themselves. Billy MacGillvary is 33 years old and hails from Surrey, BC. Jamie Muswagon is 23 and is from Cross Lake, Manitoba.

Profile: Jamie Muswagon. He is a Cree Indian and his grandfather told him, "Be who you are. Be proud of yourself wherever you go." Jamie stays true to this. He comes home to (what I am assuming is) the reservation a few weeks a year. We see his close-knit community and how proud they are of all of Jamie's accomplishments. His mother shows us about 1000 medals and trophies that her son has won over the course of his hockey career. I honestly don't think I've ever seen so many awards and medals in one room ever in my life. His family and community should be extremely proud of him.

Harkins, the 35-year old veteran from Vancouver, BC, enters his room now and chooses his bed first. It's also by the window. He lets us know that in professional hockey, the veteran gets first choice. He also figures that the guy that rooms with him is going to learn a little bit. Harkins has been to 11 training camps in his career. He's not nervous; he'll use that nervous energy to perform to a better degree.

Harkins also gets a letter from his wife and three sons. There is a picture in the envelope, and the boys tell their father how proud they are of him and no matter what, "we'll always be your biggest fans." Todd (Harkins) gets a little misty-eyed over this. It is a sweet gesture and I'm sure not only his kids, but also his whole hockey team (that he coaches), will be cheering him on.

Moving on to Dan Tessier, #28, from Orleans, Ontario. He's a little nervous. He isn't sure he's prepared. He just returned from his honeymoon - he was married on June 19 and we see pictures of his wedding and his wife. Everyone seems to be settling in nicely.

Near the end of Day 1, the boys are told they have a meeting in about 20 minutes with Mike Keenan and Scotty Bowman and not to be late. They all file into the conference room, and Jack Birch (the Director of Hockey Operations - in case you forgot) introduces our two coaches. First up... "The winningest coach in the history of the game... Mr. Scott Bowman." Then... "He's no stranger to most of us, he's got a Stanley Cup of his own... Mr. Mike Keenan." Whyte, #36, tells us how they were "humbled by the presence of a legend."

Bowman tells the boys that someone told him once that "a lot of minor leaguers are major leaguers that never had an opportunity." He encourages them to do their best every day. Keenan says that it's their "second chance, second opportunity." He encourages them to enjoy the experience and "see you on the ice!"

Levy, #29, says that seeing those two in the room tells him that it's time to go to work. "There are 67 other guys trying to complete the same goal." Dickenson, #54, thinks it was really exciting to meet Keenan and Bowman.

Day 2 gives us our first practice and Tessier is anxious. Mole, #20 and a goaltender, tells us he grew up watching Tessier play for the Ottawa 67s so he's been "like kind of an Idol" of Mole's. The 68 players have now been divided into two groups - half will be coached by Bowman and half will be coached by Keenan. In three days' time, the roster will be cut from 68 to only 40. Tonight we will see Team Bowman. They are divided into two teams - blue and white.

Leading the line-up for Team Blue are: #34 Ryan Grobety; #27 Todd Harkins; #28 Dan Tessier; #36 Noah Whyte; #37 Dominic Noel; #38 Ryan Lauzon; #39 Derrell Levy; #40 Bruno Lemire; and, #41 Anders Strome.