Filming has begun in Edmonton on Smudge the Blades, a sports dramedy from writer-director Cody Lightning. The feature centers on the Treaty 6 Blades, an under-18 Indigenous hockey team facing their last season in a rough northern Alberta league.
New additions to the cast include Ed Helms (The Hangover), Paulina Alexis (Reservation Dogs), and Jana Schmieding (Rutherford Falls). Lightning stars as Willie Gladue, a Zamboni driver who finds himself behind the bench as the team’s unexpected coach. Schmieding plays a hockey mom who becomes his love interest.
Lightning, who also co-wrote the script with Samuel Miller, described the significance of the setting and subject matter. “Rez hockey in Canada is bigger than high school football in Texas,” he said. “I’m so honored to have this incredible cast to bring to life the experiences of Indigenous hockey players, on and off the ice.”
Casting for the team involved a wide search to find young Indigenous actors. The lineup includes Treycen Wuttunnee, Isaiah Kakepetum, River Rayne Thomas, Elijah James Lee Moar, Ezekiel James Mekanek, and Tyler Halcrow.
The film is Lightning’s second feature following Hey, Viktor!, a mockumentary that premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Festival and screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. It earned three Canadian Screen Awards nominations.
Smudge the Blades is being produced by Miller, Joshua Jackson, Kyle Thomas, Sara Corry, Hayley Morin, and Dylan Morin. Ed Helms serves as an executive producer along with Mike Falbo under the Pacific Electric Picture Company banner. Brett Harris is overseeing the project for the company. The production is backed by Ice Pirates Productions Inc.
The film is planned for release on the 2026 festival circuit.
