The movie is based on a book by Bill Keenan titled: "Odd Man Rush: A Harvard Kid's Hockey Odyssey from Central Park to Somewhere in Sweden - with Stops Along the Way." It's a comical coming-of-age story set in the quirky world of European minor league hockey.
The film follows Bobby Sanders, who scores a spot on the fringes of pro hockey in European minor leagues after playing hockey at Harvard. Alexa plays the role of Annabel, a Harvard student and friend from Bobby's life in school.
"It's a small role, but I think the same amount of work goes into any kind of role you get," Alexa said. "You try and find what makes the character the way she is. You start from childhood and think about what she's like and how she carries herself and why she does the things that she does. It's all about background work and what you decide to make it."
For Alexa, the movie is a big first step in her acting career, something she has aspired to since her youth.
"Ever since I was a little girl it's all I wanted to do," Alexa said. "This is my first movie, so hopefully there will be more to come."
Alexa took acting classes while attending USC, as well as having an acting coach since the age of 13. She graduated with a degree from USC in real estate development for "something to fall back on."
Alexa was contacted for the role by the film's co-producers Howard and Karen Baldwin, who formerly owned the Penguins before selling the team to Alexa's father. After auditioning, Alexa got the part.
"I just had one audition. A few months later we were on set in New York," Alexa said. "We were there for about two weeks. It was awesome. It was in a small town in New York, the cast and the locals there loved it."
Part of that cast is Trevor Gretzky, who is the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky. Though they grew up the children of hockey heroes, the duo hadn't met until the day they filmed a scene together on set.
