Story Summary
Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders, Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson, Seattle Kraken defenceman Brandon Montour and Edmonton Oilers defenceman Jake Walman are set to feature in the first NHL-themed Canadian edition of The Price Is Right Tonight.
The four players joined contestants for classic games, including Plinko, during a taping in June. The programme, hosted by Canadian comedian and producer Howie Mandel, was scheduled to air on Citytv at 8 p.m. ET on Monday. Toronto Maple Leafs alumnus Wendel Clark also appears.
For Schaefer, the reigning Calder Trophy winner, the invitation carried a personal appeal. He said the programme had been part of pre-game meals with teammates and was familiar viewing for his family. Wilson, Montour and Walman also described the opportunity as a nostalgic chance to take part in a show they had watched while growing up.
Key Facts
- Matthew Schaefer, Tom Wilson, Brandon Montour and Jake Walman appeared in the first NHL-themed Canadian edition of The Price Is Right Tonight.
- Schaefer is a New York Islanders player and the reigning Calder Trophy winner as NHL rookie of the year.
- Wilson plays for the Washington Capitals, Montour plays for the Seattle Kraken and Walman plays for the Edmonton Oilers.
- Each NHL player partnered with a contestant during one of the programme’s games, including Plinko.
- Howie Mandel hosted the episode, while Toronto Maple Leafs alumnus Wendel Clark also made an appearance.
- The episode was taped in June and was scheduled to air on Citytv in Canada at 8 p.m. ET on Monday.
- Steve Mayer, the NHL’s President of Content and Events, said the league approached executive producer Claire Adams about creating an NHL-themed episode.
- Schaefer said he had limited experience of grocery shopping and that his father Todd had helped him prepare for the price-guessing element.
IHM Discussion
This was a deliberately light-hearted piece of NHL promotion, but it put players rather than highlights at the centre of the exercise. The format allowed Schaefer, Wilson, Montour and Walman to be seen in an environment far removed from the rink, where their personalities and familiarity with a long-running game show could carry the segment.
That distinction matters for the league’s stated aim. Mayer framed the episode as an opportunity to introduce players and the NHL brand to a different audience, while Mandel described the added energy created by having hockey figures involved. The contestants retained the final decisions on price guesses, leaving the players in a supporting role rather than turning the programme into a hockey competition.
Schaefer’s involvement also gave the broadcast a clear connection to one of the league’s most prominent young players. His comments about family viewing, living with Matt Martin and Sydney Martin during his rookie season, and receiving help from his father before the taping made the appearance feel personal rather than scripted.
Why It Matters
The NHL is using a familiar Canadian entertainment format to make its players accessible outside game coverage. A televised appearance alongside contestants can reach viewers who may not seek out hockey programming, while giving established and emerging players a setting in which they can engage without the usual competitive pressure.
For the four participants, the episode presents them as recognisable people with shared memories of the programme, not solely as athletes defined by their on-ice roles. That can be particularly useful for Schaefer, whose Calder Trophy season has already made him a notable young face of the league.
Fan Pulse
The appeal is rooted in familiarity. Schaefer, Wilson, Montour and Walman each connected the opportunity to watching the show earlier in life, while Mandel described hockey as part of Canada’s cultural fabric. The combination of a well-known game show, NHL players and ordinary contestants gives supporters a different way to see players they usually encounter only in a competitive setting.
Mini Q&A
Which NHL players appeared on The Price Is Right Tonight?
Matthew Schaefer, Tom Wilson, Brandon Montour and Jake Walman appeared on the NHL-themed edition.
What did the players do on the programme?
Each player was paired with a contestant and offered suggestions during one of the show’s games, including Plinko, although the contestant made the final price guesses.
Who hosted the NHL-themed episode?
Canadian actor, producer and comedian Howie Mandel hosted the episode.
Coach Mark Comment
The strongest sporting element is not tactical but relational. Pairing players with contestants shifts them into a supportive role, where communication and composure matter more than expertise. It is a simple setting, yet it offers a useful reminder that players can represent their teams and the league effectively when they are relaxed and engaged with people outside the dressing room.
IHM Final View
The NHL-themed episode of The Price Is Right Tonight is a straightforward entertainment collaboration built around player personality and a shared Canadian touchstone. With Schaefer, Wilson, Montour and Walman assisting contestants rather than competing against one another, the programme offers a broad audience an informal introduction to four current NHL players.