Opinion | When Hockey Hits the Ballroom: Imagining Dancing with the NHL Stars

By Ariana Ottrando | October 9, 2025

Courtesy of "Dancing with the Stars" on Instagram

It’s that time of year again when both Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) and the National Hockey League (NHL) grace our screens and consume our lives for the next two months — or at least in my house.

But what if there was a world in which the two combined?

I present: Dancing with the NHL Stars, where we review which active NHL players would be entertaining and suitable contestants on Dancing with the Stars, and which pros from this season, Season 34, they would pair with.

While it’s common for professional athletes to compete on Dancing with the Stars, Sean Avery has been the only NHL player to take the stage to date, back on Season 18.

Though Avery’s time in the ballroom was short-lived, getting eliminated in Week 2 with partner Karina Smirnoff, there are plenty of NHL players who have what it takes to go the distance on the dance floor. 

Think about it: Hockey players already share the discipline, competitive nature, and familiarity with a demanding practice schedule that dancers do. They’re also media-trained and “perform live” for large audiences, so they’re not afraid of the camera or the pressure of the moment either.

Instead of taking critiques and running drills with hockey coaches, they’d do the same with their partners and the judges.

And, both rely heavily on trust — whether it’s with linemates on the ice or dance partners in the studio — so teamwork and the concept of synchronicity aren’t new to them.

Without further ado, let’s break down the cast of the first season of Dancing with the NHL Stars.

Macklin Celebrini

A young star in the making, Celebrini would definitely be a long-term contender on DWTS. As the youngest player to win the Hobey Baker award in college with Boston University, he could follow suit and join a short list of DWTS winners under age 20. That is, if his dancing abilities were anything like those on the ice.

I would pair Celebrini with DWTS pro Rylee Arnold, as they’re both “rookies” in their respective professions and would make for an entertaining partnership.

Connor McDavid

They don’t call him “McJesus” for no reason. Stats and accolades aside, the Edmonton Oilers captain’s fiercely competitive nature and will to win would take him far on DWTS. Skill is one thing, but heart could also work in his favor as both the judges and fans would appreciate his work ethic and passion for succeeding in each style of ballroom.

McDavid would excel with DWTS pro Daniella Karagach for their shared intensity and he would take on the challenge of her routines head-on.

Mika Zibanejad

For those who don’t know, the most tenured New York Ranger is also a DJ, starting in his home country of Sweden and even performing on big stages like Lollapalooza Stockholm in 2023. Zibanejad’s love and familiarity with music should translate beautifully to the dance floor, with an assumed musicality and vocabulary as advantages for picking up choreography.

I would pair Zibanejad with DWTS pro Pasha Pashkov because of their similar calm and grounded demeanors, hopefully making for an easy learning process and potential friendship as well.

Brad Marchand

Brad Marchand, also known as “The Rat”, has always been a “love him or hate him” type of NHL player. But no one can deny that his aggressive play style has established him in his identity and career, on and off the ice. That “in your face” mantra would naturally aid in Marchand’s performance and showmanship on DWTS and he strikes me as someone who could be an unexpected finalist.

Marchand would pair well with DWTS pro Mark Ballas because his bold personality would be able to handle Ballas’ bold and sometimes risky choreography.

Cale Makar

Cale Makar may have a more reserved personality than his fellow “castmates”, but his skillset speaks for itself. I can totally picture the two-time Norris Trophy winner crushing a contemporary-esque foxtrot and winning over the audience with his determination and sweet disposition.

Makar would do best with DWTS pro Ezra Sosa because their completely opposite personalities would balance each other out, so Sosa’s extrovertedness would help Makar come out of his shell on the dance floor.

Quinn Hughes

Quinn Hughes is another NHL player who lets his stats do the talking. The Vancouver Canucks captain and eldest Hughes brother definitely leads by example on the ice. His exciting play style would make for exciting performances in the ballroom — certainly a side of Hughes that hockey fans have not yet seen.

I would pair Hughes with DWTS pro Emma Slater because her bubbly personality and experience on the show would set Hughes up for success.

Jack Hughes

In addition to drawing a ton of Gen-Z votes, Jack Hughes would also be a DWTS contender in the spirit of competing against Quinn in ballroom shoes instead of skates. Their sibling battle would make for great debate among fans each Tuesday night, as they would be the first celebrity sibling duo to compete on the same DWTS season. Food for thought, ABC.

Their shared charisma and charm would make Jack Hughes and DWTS pro Alan Bersten a successful pairing. I can already picture them performing a memorable freestyle or quickstep!

Matt Rempe

You knew it was coming. Matt Rempe would be such an entertaining, fan-favorite contestant on DWTS. From being an on-ice enforcer to his goofy personality to his popularity among Gen-Z, there are so many aspects to the “Rempire State Building” that DWTS could tap into to make his dances stand out — then again, his 6’9” frame may do that already.

DWTS pro Jenna Johnson would work to Rempe’s strong suits and help him learn dance fundamentals such as body control and facial expressions within each piece. Their height difference would also allow for some crazy tricks!

Cole Caufield

An NHL player who never fails to have a smile on his face is Cole Caufield. His positivity would be refreshing as a star in the process of learning, executing, and receiving feedback on dances each week from his partner and the judges’ panel. Caufield is someone who thrives under pressure on the ice, and the Montreal Canadiens’ winger would bring the same mindset to dancing on the show.

DWTS pro Britt Stewart perfectly matches Caufield’s smiley and outgoing personality and would create an encouraging learning environment for him in his ballroom journey.

Anze Kopitar

The “King of [the] Kings,” Anze Kopitar, would be a great addition to DWTS. The 2025-26 NHL season is officially the “last dance” for the down-to-earth veteran captain, so it would only be fitting for him to hit the dance floor in L.A. in retirement, where so many locals would have his back and vote.

I would pair Kopitar with DWTS pro Jan Ravnik for their shared Slovenian roots. I think that common ground would be a great foundation for Kopitar to learn from Ravnik and also allow for opportunities to tie their culture to some routines. Tell me that they wouldn’t absolutely tear up a tango.

Matthew Knies

Yet another player who dominated college hockey and is now in the big leagues, Toronto Maple Leaf’s Matthew Knies would be a fun contestant to root for on DWTS. As a younger and newer guy on the roster, NHL fans are still learning about Knies, so participating on DWTS would highlight sides to him that we don’t typically see in the rink.

I see Knies and DWTS pro Witney Carson as a power duo between their shared Western roots, in Arizona and Utah, respectively, and confident personalities. Knies would definitely be all-in for Carson’s upbeat routines, like jazz, and their height difference would make for frequent stunts as well.

Jeremy Swayman

When I think of active NHL goalies with big personalities, my mind immediately goes to none other than Boston Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman. Focus on the details and repetition is heavily involved with being both a goaltender and dancer, so “Sway” would fit right into DWTS and likely make it far into the competition.

I would pair Swayman with DWTS pro Brandon Armstrong because their enthusiasm and energy would play off each other so well, making for a strong partnership on the dance floor. The duo would probably score highest with styles that highlight that, like the cha-cha or jive.

Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby

Obviously, a stacked NHL/DWTS cast crossover wouldn’t be without the greatest active players in the game: Alexander Ovechkin (WSH) and Sidney Crosby (PIT). The veteran captains and most accomplished players headed into the 2025-26 season have long been compared through their careers over the last two decades — dating back to 2005-06 — so it only makes sense for “The Great 8” and “Sid the Kid” to compete on the same season of DWTS as well.

Ovechkin and DWTS pro Gleb Savchenko would click as partners because of their shared Russian descent, allowing for a “great” friendship and opportunities to nod to their culture. Pairing Crosby with DWTS pro Val Chmerkovskiy, the most tenured pro on the show, feels like ‘10’s all around. Crosby would definitely be the last one in the studio every night practicing Chmerkovskiy’s difficult routines on his own time. (Gotta take Sid on this one, sorry Ovi.)

Hockey players are no strangers to high-pressure performances and precision under the spotlight — two factors that also yield success on Dancing with the Stars. With the right partner by their side, who’s to say these NHL players couldn’t chase the Mirrorball Trophy in addition to the Stanley Cup?

I always appreciate athletes choosing to combine their athleticism with artistry by competing on the show, which would make a cast entirely derived by the NHL a totally different (hockey) game. I would crown Sidney Crosby, and his partner Val Chmerkovskiy, the DWTS champions of this debut season of Dancing with the NHL Stars, but any of the pairings could skate away with the title if they bring their A-game to the ballroom.

Disclaimer: This article reflects personal opinions and research and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any individuals, teams, or organizations mentioned.