Hit the Ice

- Season 5

(2017)

Another new group of young prospects meet in Winnipeg to take part in the fifth edition of Hit The Ice. On the first day, a full-on scrimmage gives the players a chance to show the coaches what they're made of.

Competing for a limited number of spots on the roster, the young players battle it out in a second scrimmage, knowing that this time, a bad performance may result in a ticket home.

In the wake of two revealing scrimmages, the coaches send several players home. The rest head off to the beach for a fun but challenging pirate-themed activity.

The official Hit The Ice team begins to train in earnest with two intense skates. The day ends with a contest of strength at a nearby park.

The coaches change their plans due to a large number of injuries. After a tiring day at the rink, the players get an unusual break: a paranormal excursion to some of Winnipeg's most haunted places.

NHLers Mark Stone and Ryan Garbutt join the coaching team to motivate and inspire the players as they tackle a full day of physical and mental training with expert guests.

Unaware that a pro scout has come to watch them, the players start the day off with the wrong attitude. A fiery speech from John Chabot wakes them up, and the boys cap off the day with a one-of-a-kind obstacle race.

The first week of official training culminates with the first showcase game against an elite team of young Indigenous players from across Manitoba.

The players are joined by NHL pros Cody McLeod and Cody McCormick for some high-intensity drills followed by an outdoor activity that will put their racing - and engineering - skills to the test.

While injury forces a star forward to make a difficult decision, the coaches focus on penalty-killing and power play drills. The players then test their brainpower in a difficult puzzle-solving adventure game.

After starting the day with a weak practice, the boys show some much-needed focus, a quality that comes in handy during an end-of-day competition combining tag and archery.

The final day of training is devoted to low-intensity drills and a once-in-a-lifetime session with former Florida Panthers coach Gerard Gallant.

Facing off for a second time against a highly skilled Manitoba team, the HTI players get one last chance to show the Nation that they have what it takes to compete at an elite level.