‘The Price is Right’ sees NHL stars come on down to help contestants in Canada

TORONTO -- Who has not seen “The Price Is Right?”

If you grew up in North America, chances are you know the show.

So when Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders was invited to be a guest on the first-ever NHL-themed edition of the Canadian version of “The Price Is Right Tonight,” he jumped at the chance.

“Whether it’s during pregame meal with all the guys, they’d always throw it on and we’d be watching,” Schaefer told NHL.com at the taping in June.

“My dad watched it and my grandparents definitely did too. Any time I’ve brought it up, everyone’s been like ‘oh my God, no way’. My dad was like, ‘you sure they don’t want me on the show?’”

Schaefer, the reigning Calder Trophy winner as NHL rookie of the year, was among four NHL players to appear on the episodes, including Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals, Brandon Montour of the Seattle Kraken and Jake Walman of the Edmonton Oilers. It will air Monday in Canada on City TV at 8 p.m. ET. Toronto Maple Leafs alumnus Wendel Clark also made an appearance.

“We’ve had it on when we were younger before iPads and stuff like that,” Montour said. “It’s got to be one of the better game shows on television.”

Added Walman, “This is really cool. When I got the text, I jumped on it. I’ve grown up watching the show so why not be a part of it.”

Each player joined a contestant and helped them navigate their way through one of the show’s famous games including the ever-popular Plinko board.

“I felt like I had to do it,” Wilson said. “Just the nostalgia of growing up watching it. It’s a pretty famous game show, probably one of the top of all time. So for my family and older brother, I feel like it will be a fun thing to do.”

Constantly looking for ways to expose the NHL to new and different audiences, Steve Mayer, the NHL’s President of Content and Events, reached out to Claire Adams, executive producer of “The Price Is Right Tonight” several months ago about the possibility of an NHL-themed episode and was met with immediate interest.

“They loved it,” Mayer said. “Without even any hesitation, we were talking about when we could do the show and how the show would look and they involved us, it was so collaborative.”

“We’re always looking for opportunities for our players and to expose the brand in different ways. So many of our players are fans of game shows. They come back after morning skates, they’ve got down time in the afternoon, they put on the television and they watch these shows. We always thought this would be an interesting entry into another world.”

Hosted by Canadian actor, producer and comedian Howie Mandel, himself a huge hockey fan, the episode features energy that he said was some of the best he has witnessed.

“We are a show that is made of energy and the NHL just took it to the next level,” Mandel said. “I am so excited. As a Canadian, our bloodline is the NHL and these are some of the best stars in the entire League. From Team Canada (Wilson) to the rookie of the year (Schaefer), it’s just crazy. It was just amazing… Our show is very exciting but when the NHL is here and we are filled with hockey fans, it takes it to the next level.”

The players offered suggestions and advice to the contestant they were paired with though the ultimate decision on the price guessing was that of the contestant themselves. Wilson was glad he was not completely on the hook for the final call.

“I’m probably worse now than when I was a kid because I don’t know what anything costs but it’s really cool to be here,” he joked.

Schaefer, just 18 years old, admitted he has not done much grocery shopping in his life including his rookie season where he said he was fortunate to have that taken care of by Islanders alumnus Matt Martin and his wife Sydney, who he lives with. Though Schaefer said his dad, Todd, was helping him study up before the show.

“I’m still trying to learn about all this stuff,” Schaefer said. “My dad’s teaching me about all this financial stuff. My dad’s the pro. Imagine if I could get an earpiece and he’d be in a grocery store just running down the aisles and stuff.

“At the end of the day I’m 18-years-old and so when I get to play games and help people out where they can win prizes, it can definitely help a lot of people whether it’s financially or things like that. With Howie on the show, it’s super cool. I’ve seen him growing up and how fun he is and now seeing what a great person he is, it’s pretty cool.”

Mayer said he was thrilled with how the idea came to life and considered it a success on multiple levels.

“I think we need to do more and more of this and this is living-proof,” Mayer said. “The players love doing things that aren’t necessarily in their comfort zone. 

"It’s just going to get a whole different audience watching and if they engage and watch the show and like our players, it gives us another avenue to get people to watch our game.”