JOURNEY: Shattered Ice is inspired by writer Jake Miskin’s experiences growing up in small-town Massachusetts in the 2000s, where multiple students died by suicide. The fictional story is an amalgamation of experiences and events that took place while Jake and other producers were growing up, with creative liberties taken. We lost friends, we picked each other up, and we went to a hell of a lot of high school hockey games.

The journey of Shattered Ice has taken twelve years from inception to the big screen. Through fundraising events, social media campaigns, crowdfunding, hard work, and endless Zoom meetings, the Nehoiden Black Bears were willed into existence. Alex Ranarivelo was instantly a perfect fit to direct. Alex’s experience in directing sports movies with heart is second-to-none, and his work ethic, passion and superhuman attention to detail elevated the film in every way from the script to the final post-production elements.

Charlie Gillespie immediately emerged as the choice to play Will Mankus, not only because of his impressive acting ability and energetic spirit, but also because Charlie is a bonafide hockey player. The same goes for Sterling Beaumon, who brings a quiet intensity to Danny Campbell as well as some genuine hockey skills. To play Will’s friend and crush Kayla Donahue, Kyla Kenedy strikes the perfect balance of sweetness and strength. As Coach Dave Dunn, Jack Falahee nails the “tough love” attitude of Coach Dunn while embodying the internal conflict that centers his bond with Will. Jack came on board with no hesitation and, like many cast and crew members, has a personal connection to Shattered Ice’s message.

Shattered Ice was shot on location in the Greater Boston area that inspired it, a surreal and cathartic experience that honored the roots of the story and the small towns that are reflected on screen. We could not have made Shattered Ice without the generosity and support of business owners, local leaders, police, crew, extras, and advocates for the film during production in our home state of Massachusetts. Under Alex’s directorial leadership and cinematographer Reuben Steinberg’s brilliant eye, our dedicated cast and crew captured the story of Shattered Ice over 17 days of principal photography, bringing to life a vision that had been over a decade in the making. To ensure that the hockey scenes lived up to the action on the page, Hollywood hockey legend Christopher V. Nelson came on as a producer, and we shot the game sequences using local players as designed by “Nelly.”

The power of Shattered Ice’s story attracted passionate collaborators well into post-production. A lineup of hockey-loving New England musicians contributed songs to the film, including Dropkick Murphys, Sammy Adams, Dalton & the Sheriffs, and Boston Levi. Jamie Christopherson, a frequent collaborator of director Alex Ranarivelo, composed an emotional score that sonically puts the audience in the POV of Will Mankus through all of his trials and triumphs.

You can see in the end credits how many people there are to thank for making Shattered Ice a reality; each and every name on screen has given everything they could to support this story. We are so proud of this film, and deeply moved by the community that has come together to bring it to life.