Seth Jarvis had never been to a film premiere, much less one in which he’s a star attraction.
That changed Thursday night for the Carolina Hurricanes forward, who is being featured in Prime Video’s newest version of “Faceoff: Inside the NHL.” The second season of the documentary series will be available on Prime starting Friday, giving a behind-the-scenes view of the personable and ever energetic Hurricanes winger.
Advertisement
Jarvis said he knew of what was in store for him at the Thursday viewing — along with Canes season-ticket holders — at The Local sports bar near the Lenovo Center.
“I’ve seen the director’s cut,” Jarvis said in an interview this week. “I liked it. I thought they did a very good job with it. I thought it was entertaining but also a little weird.”
Weird?
“Oh boy, it’s tough watching yourself on a screen, so, yes, it is a little bit weird,” he said, smiling. “But I thought it was good.”
Advertisement
Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis talks about his new eight-year, $63.2 million contract during a press briefing with General Manager Eric Tulsky on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C.
Jarvis said the series production crew was around him four times during the 2024-25 regular season and at the 4 Nations Face-Off, the international event in Montreal and Boston held in February. The Winnipeg native was a member of Team Canada, which topped Team USA — and Canes teammate Jaccob Slavin — in the gold-medal game.
Jarvis said he did have one concern about all the filming in and around the Canes.
“I did not want it to be a distraction and it wasn’t,” Jarvis said. “Obviously it was a little weird, but they did a good job of staying out of everyone’s face. I asked them to make sure they’re not kind of messing with anybody’s routines or too much in the way.
Advertisement
“They did a good job of respecting that. They stayed behind the scenes pretty good.”
Jarvis, 23, has become one of the league’s most promising young players in his first four NHL seasons while gaining a reputation as someone able to make others laugh while also able to laugh a little at himself.
After one game, he took a “pie” in the face from former teammate Martin Necas while doing a post-game media interview — the shaving cream, not pie custard, in the towel burning his eyes. He once played the role of “Santa” for another teammate, goaltender Antti Raanta, and his Finnish family.
Advertisement
Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis speaks to a reporter while wearing his beloved Harvard alumni T-shirt, a gift from teammate and actual Harvard alum Jack Drury.
Need a refreshing quote or one-liner? Jarvis often is the one sought out by the media, and he usually delivers.
“I think it just comes naturally,” Jarvis said. “We have a bunch of funny guys in here. I just happen to be the idiot that does it in front of a camera.”
Prime Video’s cameras will have Jarvis and the 2025 Faceoff series streamed worldwide to 240 countries and territories. There are six episodes, which producers say will give “an unfiltered look at the players’ lives, training regimens, and the high-stakes world of professional hockey. “
Advertisement
“With the personality he has and brings, I hope it comes out in that show because we all love him that’s for sure,” Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said this week. “We’re living in that age where more is expected out of players and coaches on the media side. If there’s a guy in there who can handle it I think it’s him.”
The episode with Jarvis chronicles his hockey journey, highlighting his tight bond with his family, especially older brother, Kayden. It details the huge disappointment of being left off Canada’s World Junior Championship team, and the huge satisfaction of being named to Canada’s 4 Nations team and then being seated in the locker room next to his childhood hero, Sidney Crosby.
There is plenty of action from Canes games last season, plus the raw emotion of both winning in the playoffs and in being eliminated in the playoffs — again by Florida in the 2025 Eastern Conference final.
Advertisement
Before the premiere presentation at The Local, Jarvis had a question-and-answer session with Mike Maniscalco, the Canes’ play-by-play man. He was asked what reality show he’d like to do next.
“I think I could have a lot of fun on Love Island,” he quipped, Jarvis being Jarvis.