Ice Guardians film coming to Tampa on Monday

by Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
December 11, 2016

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa premiere of the film Ice Guardians will be held on Monday at 7 p.m. at the Tampa Theatre.

The film focuses on the role of “enforcers” in hockey but not in the traditional idea of fighters in the National Hockey League. Instead filmmakers bring the inside story of the people who played those demanding and difficult roles, how they embraced those roles to stay in the game while showing the personalities behind the player.

It features interviews with, among others, Joey Kocur, Riley Cote, Brian McGratten, Kelly Chase, Jarome Iginla, Wendell Clark, George Parros and Dave “The Animal” Schultz.

The film has premiered in other markets, including Toronto and St. Louis, to rave reviews. The event in Tampa is one night only, and tickets can be purchased here.

After the movie, there is a VIP question and answer session that will include Lightning 2004 Stanley Cup champion Chris Dingman, former Lightning forwards Todd Fedoruk and Konopka along with television analyst Bobby “The Chief” Taylor, a goaltender on the Flyer Broad Street Bully teams from the 70s, along with Lightning founder and Hall of Famer Phil Esposito. The session will be moderated by Erik Erlendsson, long time hockey writer for The Tampa Tribune and founder of LightningInsider.com.

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Ice Guardians official trailer (from YouTube):

Dingman, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, was a high scorer in junior before seeing his role evolve at the NHL level where he had 92 career fights, according to hockeyfights.com

He hopes his involvement in the film sheds some light on those who played the role, showing their personalities and not just being labeled for the role they played.

“You just want to show people a different side,” Dingman said. “Guys, when people meet people like myself or Andre Roy, Zenon Konopka, Fridge (Fedoruk), we’re all good guys, easy going guys. Just because you have a certain role or certain job, it doesn’t define who you are.

“I’m a coach now, I’m a funny guy, I’m a caring guy and most guys I know, you are fighting and try do defend yourself and you want to win the fight, you are not trying to hurt guys, you are trying to create space for other guys, the more skilled players. So I guess it’s just shedding the light on guys and just because you fight or have a goatee or shaved head, you are totally different people away from the rink and off the ice. I hope the film shows people that.”

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