PK Subban Breaks 13‑Season NHL Mold to Voice 'Screech Owls

# P.K. Subban Rinks Up for Hockey Adventure, Screech Owls Launches 2027 When the former NHL star stepped off the ice after a 13‑season career, many thought his next move would stay within the sport’s familiar boundaries.

Instead, P.K. Subban is trading the locker room for a studio chair, taking on dual roles as executive producer and lead voice in an animated action‑adventure series that will debut on CBC this fall.

“Screech Owls,” a title many Canadian kids grew up loving, will bring fresh energy to the rink‑themed world of the book series by Roy MacGregor and the 2001 live‑action series that first ignited imagination across YTV and Discovery Kids.

The new show is set to premiere in English on CBC in the fall of 2027, with a French‑language version following on Radio‑Canada and TFO in winter 2028.

The series is a cross‑border collaboration that unites Canada’s biggest production houses—Shaftesbury, Sphere Media, Boat Rocker—and the NHL, which holds exclusive distribution rights in the United States and the Nordics, while Boat Rocker handles other territories.

The partnership signals a growing trend of sports franchises expanding into transmedia storytelling, leveraging beloved characters and brand equity to reach younger audiences. Subban’s involvement goes beyond voice work.

He serves as executive producer, steering the creative vision while guiding a diverse cast of young actors—Ana Sani as Neela, Joshua Odjick as Ishkode, Erika Prevost as Camille, and Jonathan Malen as Trevor.

The team’s adventures range from jewel heists in Vancouver to mind‑control plots in Montreal, with each mission unlocked by “Power Pulses” that amplify the kids’ natural talents.

A cameo appearance by PWHL star Sarah Nurse as herself adds a layer of authenticity that fans of the sport will appreciate. ## Background & Context The animated “Screech Owls” draws from a legacy of storytelling that dates back to 2001, when Shaftesbury first adapted Roy MacGregor’s beloved books for YTV and Discovery Kids.

The 2001 live‑action series introduced a squad of ten‑year‑old hockey players who use their skills to solve mysteries and protect their community.

The new adaptation, written by John May and Suzanne Bolch, who helmed the original, promises to expand that universe while keeping the core of adventure, teamwork, and high‑tech intrigue that made the franchise a staple on Canadian screens.

Shaftesbury and Sphere Animation are at the helm of production, collaborating with the Canadian broadcasting giants CBC, SRC, and TFO.

The partnership brings significant backing from the Canada Media Fund, Shaw Rocket Fund, Ontario Creates, and the IPF Fund, underscoring the country’s commitment to supporting homegrown children’s programming.

In addition to the televised launch, the creators envision a broader multi‑platform franchise: interactive gaming, consumer products, and global licensing. This strategy reflects an industry shift toward immersive storytelling that keeps children engaged across mediums.

With the NHL’s endorsement and exclusive rights in key markets, “Screech Owls” stands at the intersection of sports and entertainment.

The league’s executive team, including David Lehanski, emphasizes the show’s potential to “reimagine how hockey reaches, inspires and entertains youth and families.” By coupling the excitement of on‑ice action with mystery‑solving plotlines, the series aims to attract viewers who may not yet be hockey fans, using adventure and relatable characters to introduce them to the sport’s values of leadership and teamwork. ## What People Are Saying P.K.

Subban has been vocal about why this project feels right for him. “A major focus of my career has been finding new ways to grow the game and reach young, diverse audiences with positive role models,” he says.

“Screech Owls, a series I grew up reading, does both.” He highlights that hockey teaches character and collaboration—principles that “you don’t need to know what ‘offside’ means to watch Screech Owls.” The message resonates with parents looking for wholesome, action‑packed content that also promotes physical activity and community engagement.

Shaftesbury’s chairman and president, Christina Jennings, underscores the global reach of the partnership. “Screech Owls is being built as a true multi‑platform franchise, reimagining a beloved Canadian story for a whole new generation with adventure, mystery, and heart,” she explains.

She emphasizes that the involvement of an NHL icon adds authenticity and energy that will be felt across the series’ expansion into gaming, merchandise, and licensing. CBC Kids’ senior director of children’s content, Marie McCann, calls the series a “gem of a series” that fulfills a current need.

“Kids need high‑energy storytelling that keeps them engaged while also exposing them to the virtues of teamwork and perseverance,” she notes.

McCann’s endorsement reflects the network’s confidence that “Screech Owls” will fill a vital niche in children’s programming, providing a blend of excitement and educational value. Industry insiders view the series as a strategic move for the NHL’s brand equity.

“The NHL is reimagining how hockey reaches, inspires and entertains youth and families,” Lehanski comments.

He highlights the partnership’s potential to engage audiences in new formats, offering a “unique opportunity to meet kids where they are—through high‑energy storytelling, adventure and characters they can connect with.” The league’s involvement signals a broader trend of sports organizations investing in media ventures that amplify their cultural impact beyond the rink. ## What Happens Next The production schedule has already begun in earnest.

Suren Perera is slated to direct the series, with May and Bolch at the helm as head writers. Executive producers include Subban himself, along with Jennings, Scott Garvie, and Jay Bennett from Shaftesbury.

Production teams from CBC and Radio‑Canada feature Sally Catto, Marie McCann, and Swin Chang, while Radio‑Canada’s leadership includes Sophie Morasse, Christiane Asselin, and Nathalie Chamberland. While the fall 2027 launch on CBC is set, the French‑language version will roll out in winter 2028 on Radio‑Canada and TFO.

The NHL’s exclusive U.S. distribution rights will bring the series to American viewers on the same date, while Boat Rocker will handle other international markets.

Fans can expect a steady stream of behind‑the‑scenes content and promotional material leading up to the premiere, with sneak peeks of the “Power Pulse” sequences and character dynamics.

Beyond television, the creators plan to expand the franchise through interactive gaming experiences, where players can join the Screech Owls in virtual missions across Vancouver and Montreal.

Merchandise lines—ranging from apparel to collectibles—are also in the pipeline, aiming to cement the series’ presence in children’s everyday life.

As the production gears up for its debut, industry observers anticipate that “Screech Owls” could become a benchmark for sports‑driven children’s entertainment, blending the thrill of the game with the of mystery and adventure. In a world where sports and storytelling increasingly collide, P.K.

Subban’s pivot to animated production signals a fresh chapter for hockey’s cultural footprint—one that invites a new generation to lace up, join a team, and chase adventure on and off the ice.