Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Odd Man Rush’s Dylan Playfair

As a young man, Dylan Playfair left it all on the ice. But he knew there would come a time when he would hang up his skates and make the transition to his other passion in life: acting. That transition played a helpful hand as Dylan stepped into his latest role as Dean Hunter in Odd Man Rush.

Based on the true story of hockey player Bill Keenan’s time in the European minor leagues, Odd Man Rush tells the inspiring story of what keeps these players motivated, even after their initial dreams are no longer in reach.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Dylan to learn more about going from the rink to the screen, Odd Man Rush, and his involvement in the upcoming Disney+ remake of The Mighty Ducks.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Dylan: As a young kid, I really enjoyed telling stories and making people laugh. My dad was always really good at doing accents, funny voices, and stuff like that. So from a young age, my brothers and I would watch a lot of movies. Comedy was our favorite genre. I found that I had a pretty good affinity for doing voices and accents. I would recite scenes from Austin Powers.

When I was around nine or ten years old, my parents used to have lots of parties and I would entertain the adults, reenacting these moments from Austin Powers, The Simpsons, and other comedies. I loved the rush that I got from doing that.

As I grew older, I got into hockey. I got a similar version of that endorphin. With hockey, you play until you’re in your thirties. At the end of your thirties, you age out. But that’s not the case with other professions. You can start a career in your fifties, but you can’t become a professional hockey player.

I always knew that after hockey, I was going to pursue film. That was my goal. Once hockey ended for me, I knew that was going to be the next step for me. So from the time I was a little kid, I knew I wanted to pursue acting.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Dylan: My family has been a huge part of the equation. They gave me the confidence to go out and pursue this. I grew up watching my dad as a professional hockey coach and being around that world. I was exposed to something that is, by and large, a difficult profession to attain and even harder to find success in. I saw him doing something special. I always knew I wanted to do something that felt special, unique, and different. Acting for me was that, so my dad was a huge inspiration.

When I ended up leaving behind hockey and moving to Vancouver to pursue acting, I met Jared Keeso. To this day, he has had a huge, huge impact on my life and my career. He’s the creator of Letterkenny. He really took me under his wing at a time when I was just getting started. He introduced me to my agent, who I am still with today. That opened a lot of doors and opportunities and set me on the path that I’m on today.

PC: Speaking of your career, you’ve had a lot of success already. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Dylan: Every role that you book and every milestone you achieve is special for its own reason. The very first check I ever got for doing an acting part was in an AJ Woodworth music video when I was nineteen. I went out and did this little dialogue-less audition and ended up booking the music video. I think I got paid a hundred and fifty bucks or two hundred for a couple days of shooting.

That ended up leading into Grave Encounters, which was my first feature film, and the ball started really rolling. There’s a lot of little moments along the way that you check in and you go, “This is special.” But one thing that I keep in my consciousness all the time is being aware of where you are right now and appreciating that. Because I think people, especially in this industry, feel that a milestone or role or fame—if you want to call it that—is going to bring you joy or happiness.

You can get into a really dangerous position where you don’t find yourself becoming fulfilled. And that for me, I try to make sure that every role that I get and every project that I’m a part of is special. I take time to recognize that.

Descendants was so cool because it was my first singing and dancing role. Then Letterkenny has been so well received. But every project I’ve done is special for a different reason.

PC: You’ve worked behind the scenes as a production assistant, climbing your way up in the industry. If you could go back to that time and tell your younger self one thing, what would it be and why?
Dylan: Oh man. You’re going to make me emotional with that one. I’d tell him, “You’re doing it. Keep doing it.” When I started PA-ing, I knew it was a cracked door that opened up and I jammed my foot in it. I would pat myself on my back and say, “You’re on the right path. Keep doing what you’re doing.”

Odd Man Rush

PC: Tell us about Odd Man Rush, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Dylan: Odd Man Rush is based on a true story, a memoir of Bill Keenan’s time spent overseas playing hockey in the minor leagues. It’s about a guy who pursues this dream and what motivates him to keep chasing it, even after he realizes that he’s not going to go to the NHL and not going to achieve what his childhood dreams are.

It’s a really sweet, lighthearted, very funny, very quirky, very honest look at the transition that every person goes through, whether it’s leaving elementary school, high school, changing careers, starting a new relationship. Transition is such a big part of the human experience.

For me, the reason why I got so excited about this movie was I saw so much of myself in these characters when I decided to leave hockey for acting. I thought they did a beautiful job explaining and showing the audience why people pursue goals even after they may not be realistic anymore. They can still get a lot of joy out of those pursuits, what that means, and the bigger picture of having joy in your life.

PC: Your dad makes a cameo in the film. How did that come to fruition? What is it like sharing this moment with him?
Dylan: That was really cool. I was talking to Bill and he actually made the connection that my dad was an NHL coach. I started talking about one of his viral videos where he breaks a couple of sticks. It’s a pretty funny video. He loses it. [laughs] There’s a call that’s made on the ice and it’s not the right call. He ends up breaking four sticks on the bench and throwing his jacket off. It’s still on TMZ’s top ten coach freak-out moments. We watched that and laughed about it.

He goes, “Man, how great would it be if you bought him in as a referee in the movie?” Because of course he can skate and play pro hockey. I jumped at the opportunity and called my dad and asked if he wanted to do it. He said, “Yes!” He flew to New York, and we were able to hang out on set for a couple of days and shoot a scene with him. It was a real treat. It was special. My mom came out too. To share that process with them was really special.

PC: With the film out now, what do you hope audiences take away?
Dylan: I hope they have a moment of peace and enjoy it. I hope it affects them in a positive way. The world right now is going through a lot of changes, a lot of transition. That’s really what this movie is about. How do we handle new chapters in life? You have options in how you’re going to do that.

The movie beautifully highlights those choices and how different people handle themselves through it. I hope it brings some smiles to people in a pretty smile-less year. I hope people feel good after the movie’s over.

PC: Speaking of hockey, you’re also starring in Disney+’s Mighty Ducks. Is there anything you can tease about that project?
Dylan: It’s done by the same people who did the original Mighty Ducks, which is really exciting. Obviously, being a ’90s baby, I watched the Mighty Ducks trilogy, all the Mighty Ducks religiously. I’m pretty sure I could quote most of, if not all, the first three movies. Emilio Estevez is back. Lauren Graham is in the series, and some really, really talented actors and collaborators. Steve Brill, the creator of the original, is heavily involved. I believe I’m in eight out of the ten episodes. I’m so excited to be a part of this historic franchise. It’s literally a dream come true. I’m really smitten with this opportunity to be a Mighty Duck.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Dylan: Queer Eye. I’m hooked on that. I got my fiancée into it. [laughs]

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Dylan: Austin Powers.

PC: Favorite book?
Dylan: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Dylan: Hamilton! Hamilton, forever.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Dylan: Hoyt Axton, “Boney Fingers.” I love country music.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Dylan: I’d say Heath Ledger. I mean, I’d love to one day maybe play his life story. In an alternate reality where he’s still with us, maybe we could swap out. That’d be a dream. If we’re allowed to bring people back, I would have him play me. That’d be cool. If not, one of my brothers, who look pretty similar.

To keep up with Dylan, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Odd Man Rush is now available on digital HD.

Photo Credit: Bobby Quillard