Netflix has announced a new drama series, The Sticks, which is set to appeal to fans of the hit romance series Heated Rivalry. The eight-episode show will be set in Minnesota, where hockey is central to the community, until a tragic loss changes everything.
A Synopsis of Loss and Resilience
The official synopsis reads: "After tragedy shatters a small Minnesota hockey town, a grieving wife steps behind the bench of the team her husband built, guiding a found family of wounded young athletes through a season of loss, love, and rivalry that will decide whether South Dorothy has anything left to believe in, and who will lead it into its next chapter."
Cast and Characters
The series will star Michelle Monaghan (True Detective) as Coach Harper and Emilie Bierre (Teacup) as Riley Sullivan. Other cast members include Shai Chase (Diary of a Muslim Cynic) as Henry Sullivan, Josh Macqueen (Motorheads, Black Snow) as Rhett Nelson, and Costa D'Angelo (Tell Me Lies) as Owen Boone.
Additional cast includes Carter Shimp (Best Medicine) as Austin Ryder, Ethan Holder (Ballard) as Cooper Cunningham, Isaac Arellanes (My Life with the Walter Boys) as Manny Rodriguez, Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap) as Coach Brody Hansen, Logan Marshall-Green (The Odyssey) as Coach Sully, and Alex MacIsaac (The Social Reckoning) as Emma Boone.
Fan Excitement and Creator's Vision
Fans have already expressed excitement after Netflix shared behind-the-scenes pictures on X. One commenter said: "A proper coming-of-age hockey series on Netflix is exactly the vibe we've been missing. The cast looks perfect already, 2027 cannot come soon enough!" Another wrote: "A high school drama about a hockey team that stars #MichelleMonaghan and @ScottBakula ….and you want me to wait until 2027? I have no patience!!"
Creator Nick Naveda told Tudum: "The Sticks is about a lot of things. Hockey, family, love, loss, class, and coming of all ages. But above all, it’s a story about community and the importance of taking care of one another." He added: "Seeing this terrific cast of actors bring their characters to life with such curiosity, empathy, and tenderness has been incredibly moving to watch, and I can’t wait for the world to meet the people of South Dorothy."
Production and Release
The Sticks comes from Shawn Levy's 21 Laps production company, known for Stranger Things, with Bridget Bedard serving as showrunner and executive producer. The series is expected to arrive on Netflix in 2027.
