Power Play

Power Play

1998
Power Play
Power Play

Power Play

6.2 | en | Drama

Power Play was a Canadian television drama series, which aired on CTV from 1998 to 2000. The series was filmed at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario. The show starred Michael Riley as Brett Parker, a former New York City sports agent who became the general manager of a National Hockey League franchise, the Hamilton Steelheads. One of the throughline plots of the series dealt with Parker's ongoing love–hate relationships with the sport, the team and his superior at McArdle Industries, corporate executive Colleen Blessed, played by Kari Matchett. The cast also included Gordon Pinsent as team owner Duff McArdle, Jonathan Crombie, Jennifer Dale and Al Waxman. The show's theme song was a modernized version of the Stompin' Tom Connors classic, "The Hockey Song", performed partly by Connors himself, and then transitioning to the performance of the band Rusty. The show was briefly aired on the US network UPN, starting in 1999, but was pulled after just two episodes. The second episode aired in the US has the distinction of being the lowest-rated episode of any prime-time TV series ever aired by any US network.

View More
AD

WATCH FREEFOR 30 DAYS

All Prime Video
Cancel anytime

Watch Now

Seasons & Episodes

2
1
EP13  What It All Meant
Feb. 17,2000
What It All Meant

Brett's life falls apart as Colleen dumps him after he has Rose fired for threatening to reveal Duff's disappearance, Renata refuses to even speak to him after what he did, and Michelle tells him she's tired of being treated like a possession and is leaving town. When the goalie is injured, Duff pressures Shakey into coming back for one last game.

EP12  The Finals
Feb. 10,2000
The Finals

As Duff continues to prepare for his wedding to Samantha, Colleen gets the proof that she needs that Samantha is the one selling out the team but doesn't want Brett to find out. Mark is pleased that his wife is coming to see him at the stadium until he realises the woman claiming to be his wife is a crazed stalker.

EP11  The Cubicle
Feb. 03,2000
The Cubicle

Rose Thorton writes a story in the Spectator about an unnamed gay Steelhead player that causes tension as the team heads into the semi final against New York. As Parker and Colleen continue to consummate their odd relationship, everyone is paranoid about finding the mole. Michelle gives Parker an ultimatum about Hudson. Coach Harry Strand seems to be have lost his renewed vigour as the team comes unglued during game 7 against New York. ""Terminal Todd"" Maplethorpe comes up with a unique solution to refocus the Steelheads. Michelle, Renata & Rose witness a surprising admission by Colleen. Harry Strand redeems himself – Strand style. Duff & Samantha share some surprising news about their relationship.

EP10  The Quarter Finals
Jan. 20,2000
The Quarter Finals

In the quarter-finals against Philadelphia, off-ice battles over the ownership of the club threaten to distract the players; Coach Tremblay doubts his leadership ability and requests his return to Sherbrooke, setting the stage for the return of a ""happier"" Harry Strand… who comes fully equipped with a psychiatrist. Michelle talks husband Hudson James into helping Parker get back into the U.S. to attend a league meeting for which he is eternally UN-grateful. After the meeting in New York, Colleen and Parker share more than just a drink. The ""new"" Harry Strand turns to be just what the teams needs.

EP9  Foolish Hearts
Jan. 13,2000
Foolish Hearts

Heading into the last regular season game against Detroit, turmoil jeopardizes the Steelheads post-season chances. Team Captain Mark Simpson receives divorce papers; Michelle is caught in the middle when Hudson James and Parker square off over Russian player Boris Kerensky; The team gets a new Head Coach in former goalie Al Tremblay. Duff McCardle risks his personal fortune for one last chance at the cup.

EP8  The Mask
Dec. 16,1999
The Mask

When the government decides to enact an equal opportunity ruling on new hires, the entire team is left questioning what will happen to them if they don't fall under the guidelines. When Duff finds out that Brett plans to drive Harry Strand crazy, he hires him in an attempt to kill two birds with one stone and get rid of Sexsmith at the same time.

EP7  The Jumper
Dec. 09,1999
The Jumper

Rose gets jealous and possessive when she realises that there is more to Colleen and Brett than just a working relationship. The entire team rallies together to help a former Steelhead who is planning to commit suicide by jumping from the rafters.

EP6  The Truth
Dec. 02,1999
The Truth

Hudson tips Brett off that Todd is looking for a new agent, but both men are soon fighting over who will get to represent him, and Rose gets caught in the middle. Colleen is suspicious when Duff's new girlfriend, Samantha, is a lot younger than Duff and seems to have her eyes on the prize.

EP5  Temptation
Nov. 19,1999
Temptation

Brett is shocked when Michelle comes back from England married to the much older Hudson James, whom Rose discovers is no stranger to matrimonial bliss. Todd gets in trouble over an unintentional racial slur, and soon begins losing his sponsers and cannot get ahold of his agent.

EP4  Evasion
Nov. 12,1999
Evasion

Brett doesn't want people to know that he is sleeping with Rose, so he tries to keep it quiet as Renata tries to put an end to it altogether. Rose is far from his only problem, though, as he is still wanted in the United States. After a big fight and troubles in his marriage send Mark to a bar, he hooks up with another woman.

EP3  Manipulation
Oct. 29,1999
Manipulation

Duff and Colleen don't like it when the government decides to run the Steelheads their way, even though Strand seems to be agreeable. Brett encourages Mark to dump his wife, Rayanne, as his manager and to go with him. Rose decides to write a tell-all novel about Brett.

EP2  Resign or Re-Sign
Oct. 22,1999
Resign or Re-Sign

The government is confused to learn that the Steelheads they have just bought up are a hockey team, and not salmon. Brett begins plotting his revenge against everyone who brought about his downfall, and Colleen's name is all over his list. Shakey is devastated when he has to retire due to his bad knee, and Simpson is furious with Strand when Strand doesn't allow Shakey to tell them himself.

EP1  Everything is Broken
Oct. 15,1999
Everything is Broken

Brett's world is falling apart as Colleen turns on him after she decides he seduced her to get his job back, Michelle announces that she's going to school in England, and he is facing extradition charges to the U.S. In order to save the Steelheads, Duff makes a deal with the government.

SEE MORE
SEE MORE
6.2 | en | Drama | More Info
Released: 1998-10-15 | Released Producted By: , Country: Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:
Synopsis

Power Play was a Canadian television drama series, which aired on CTV from 1998 to 2000. The series was filmed at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario. The show starred Michael Riley as Brett Parker, a former New York City sports agent who became the general manager of a National Hockey League franchise, the Hamilton Steelheads. One of the throughline plots of the series dealt with Parker's ongoing love–hate relationships with the sport, the team and his superior at McArdle Industries, corporate executive Colleen Blessed, played by Kari Matchett. The cast also included Gordon Pinsent as team owner Duff McArdle, Jonathan Crombie, Jennifer Dale and Al Waxman. The show's theme song was a modernized version of the Stompin' Tom Connors classic, "The Hockey Song", performed partly by Connors himself, and then transitioning to the performance of the band Rusty. The show was briefly aired on the US network UPN, starting in 1999, but was pulled after just two episodes. The second episode aired in the US has the distinction of being the lowest-rated episode of any prime-time TV series ever aired by any US network.

...... View More
Stream Online

The tv show is currently not available onine

Cast

Michael Riley , Caterina Scorsone , Gordon Pinsent

Director

Producted By

,

AD

Watch Free for 30 Days

All Prime Video Movies and TV Shows. Cancel anytime.

Watch Now

Reviews

worthwood This was an average show. I think it maybe could have gotten better if it stayed on for another season. The acting was fine. Most of the problem was in an obvious lack of money (like in most Canadian TV) where they just seemed to go with cheap everything and cheap stories. Oh well.
reaverking Some of the episodes of Power Play are among the best TV out there. Drama, excitement, and Micheal Reilly playing an evil genius who simultaneously creates and solves endless nightmares in both his personal and professional life every episode. Most which could singlehandedly derail the team without even touching the drama unfolding on the ice most episodes.*SPOILER ALERT* My only complaint is that the last season never really paid off for me when I watched the original broadcast. I won't go into specifics but suffice it to say that the show makes some dramatic changes in characters and tone I can't fathom. *END SPOILER ALERT*To sum up, if you can even find this series on DVD for less than $30, Give Power Play some time to impress you. It starts strong and some of the episodes are absolute gems. Just be prepared for the third period to get really, really ugly.
stella-4 I am a fan of both hockey and of Gordon Pinsent. What a treat to have seen them come together so successfully! Pinsent is blessed with hilarious dialogue, which he delivers with ease and brilliance. I hope they use him more. Dean McDermott is wonderful, too. Good writing, good cast, good show. I was fortunate enough to see a couple of episodes on a recent trip to Ontario, and was greatly disappointed to discover I wouldn't be able to see it upon my return to the U.S. This country is missing out on some top quality programming by not covering Canadian broadcasting.
rabbit4 As the title says, Power Play has succeeded where many others have tried and failed -- they have made a movie/tv show centering on hockey that isn't crap. The only other production to ever achieve this was a 1994 CBC movie called Net Worth. With strong performances by all the leads, especially by the under-used Dean McDermott as the captain of the Hamilton Steelehads who is very convincing in his role as the soft-spoken jock. Gordon Pinsent is a pure delight to watch, and if you're able to follow all of his fast-spoken, half-muttered dialogue I'm sure you'll laugh as hard as I did. Overall, I'd have to say this power play lived up to it's name, because Alliance-Atlantis seem to have scored their first winner since merging.