Ex-Wolverine Turner Cast in Hollywood Hockey Role
12/10/1999 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Former Wolverine Cast in Hollywood Hockey Role
By Leah Howard, U-M Athletic Media Relations Student Assistant
With the recent increase of hockey films, production companies need individuals with hockey experience to aid in the specific scenes. One up-and-coming figure in this field is former Wolverine defenseman Brad Turner.
| | Turner during his playing days at Michigan |
His brother-in-law, who worked on the crew, put him in touch with the producer, and he was given the job. On the set of Mystery, Alaska, Turner was in the middle of the filmmaking process from day one. He was able to spend a lot of time with the actors, director and producer and saw the film industry from all aspects. Immediately, he realized that the movie business was something he wanted to pursue. He never returned to playing hockey, but Turner says he has no regrets.
"It was a situation of being in the right place, at the right time," said Turner, "and I've never looked back."
Since completing his work with Mystery, Alaska, Turner has moved to Vancouver and taken up acting lessons. Since the feature film, Turner has been involved in several more hockey movies to be released in the near future.
Turner poses on the set with Burt Reynolds (above, Mystery, Alaska) and Elvis Stojko (below, Ice Angels). | |
"I'm not waiting for the next hockey movie to come out," said Turner. "I'm looking to try something else."
In the late eighties, Turner was a hard-working defenseman for the Wolverines. He was awarded the Alton D. Simms Trophy following his senior year in 1990 as the team's most improved player.
"Playing a sport at a school like Michigan is a privilege," said Turner, reflecting on his years at Michigan. "I didn't understand this while I was there. I look back on my years of playing hockey at Michigan as an honor to be a student-athlete, but I didn't fully take advantage of being an athlete or a student."
After graduating, Turner played pro hockey for several teams, including three games with the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League, before making his way out to Europe. Turner credits his experiences in hockey with helping him throughout his life.
"Hockey opened the door to me," said Turner, "and I have to respect that. I played hockey for a long time, but at this point, I'm enjoying the process of discovering. I'm really enjoying where I am in my life, and I have a really good feeling that going to be around in this business for a while."
Contact: Jason Gerdom (734) 763-4423
