Hockey is hitting the animation rink, and this time the players have more than just a puck to chase. Canadian production and animation companies Shaftesbury and Sphere Animation, have teamed up with the National Hockey League (NHL) and Boat Rocker Studios for Screech Owls, a new animated action-adventure.
The series is executive produced by NHL all-star P.K. Subban, a former professional ice hockey defenceman. Based on Roy MacGregor’s acclaimed Screech Owls book series, the new 26 episodes of the 11-minute series are currently in production in Toronto. It is set to launch in English in autumn 2027 on Canadian production bodies (CBC), followed by a French debut in winter 2028 on Radio-Canada and Télévision française de l’Ontario (TFO).
Leading the charge is Coach Subban, who helps the team navigate danger while keeping them focused on their next game. When trouble comes calling, the young players gear up in specially designed suits that amplify their abilities, unleashing their signature power pulses to outpace pursuers, smash through obstacles and turn everyday objects into crime-fighting gadgets.
The team features Neela, the courageous captain with a powerful shot; Ishkode, a charismatic forward whose super speed comes in handy; Camille, a tech-savvy goalie with a knack for deflection; and Trevor, the brains-and-brawn defenceman who can power through barriers.
Subban, who grew up reading the books, said the series offers a way to introduce hockey to audiences beyond the sport itself.
Screech Owls star and executive producer Subban shared, “A major focus of my career has been finding new ways to grow the game and reach young, diverse audiences with positive role models and Screech Owls, a series I grew up reading, does both. Hockey teaches character, leadership, and teamwork. You don’t need to know what ‘offside’ means to watch Screech Owls, you just have to love globe-trotting kids solving mysteries, working together, and having a blast.”
Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) star Sarah Nurse will also make a cameo as herself, with further guest appearances set to be announced.
The series is being developed as a multi-platform franchise, with plans stretching beyond television and books into interactive gaming, consumer products and global licensing. The NHL holds exclusive distribution rights in the US and Nordics, while Boat Rocker Studios handles the rest of the world, excluding Canada.
