TORONTO — Matthew Schaefer traded the rink for a pricing game when the New York Islanders forward joined the first NHL-themed episode of “The Price Is Right Tonight” in Canada.
Schaefer, the reigning Calder Trophy winner, will appear alongside Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson, Seattle Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman. The special airs Monday at 8 p.m. ET on Citytv.
Quick facts
- “The Price Is Right Tonight” will air its first NHL-focused episode Monday at 8 p.m. ET.
- Schaefer, Wilson, Montour and Walman were paired with contestants during the taping.
- Toronto Maple Leafs alumnus Wendel Clark also appears in the program.
- Canadian comedian, actor and producer Howie Mandel hosts the episode.
- The players took part in familiar pricing games, including Plinko.
The show was taped in June, and Schaefer said he did not need much persuading to take part. “The Price Is Right” had long been part of the background at pregame meals and family gatherings, he said.
“My dad watched it and my grandparents definitely did too,” Schaefer said. His father, Todd, had one immediate question when he heard about the invitation: whether the show might want him instead.
Montour also recalled the game show from before players had tablets and phones competing for their attention. He called it one of television’s stronger game-show formats.
Walman said he accepted as soon as the message arrived. Having watched the program while growing up, he saw no reason to pass up a chance to stand on its set.
The NHL players offered advice while contestants worked through the pricing challenges, but the final guesses belonged to the contestants. Wilson was happy to leave the biggest decision in somebody else’s hands.
“I’m probably worse now than when I was a kid because I don’t know what anything costs,” Wilson said with a laugh. Still, the Capitals veteran said the appeal was clear: the show’s nostalgia, plus a chance for his family and older brother to see him in a different setting.
Hockey crowd lifts the room
Howie Mandel said the NHL presence changed the feel of the taping. The host, a longtime hockey fan, said the show runs on energy and that a room full of hockey supporters pushed it another level.
Wilson’s Team Canada connection and Schaefer’s Rookie of the Year status added to the atmosphere, Mandel said. He called the group among the League’s top names and said the crowd response made the episode stand out.
The crossover began with a discussion between NHL President of Content and Events Steve Mayer and executive producer Claire Adams. The conversation quickly turned from a concept into a plan for how an NHL edition could work.
Mayer said the League is looking for ways to put its players in front of audiences that may not encounter them during a regular hockey broadcast. Game shows were a natural fit, he said, because players often watch them during afternoon downtime after morning skate.
“The players love doing things that aren’t necessarily in their comfort zone,” Mayer said. He believes appearances such as this can introduce viewers to NHL personalities and, in time, give them another reason to watch the game itself.
Schaefer had a more practical concern heading into the taping. At 18, he said he is still learning the price of everyday items and has not spent much time handling grocery runs.
During his rookie season, Islanders alumnus Matt Martin and his wife, Sydney, helped take care of that side of daily life while Schaefer lived with them. Before the show, Todd Schaefer helped his son prepare for the pricing portion.
Schaefer joked that an earpiece connected to his father racing through grocery-store aisles would have been useful. But he also saw the bigger point of the assignment: helping contestants win prizes that could make a meaningful difference.
For the young Islanders standout, sharing the stage with Mandel added another layer. He had watched the host while growing up and said meeting him confirmed the high-energy television personality was equally engaging away from the camera.
