Netflix has officially dropped the trailer for “The Underdog,” a powerful and emotionally charged new documentary chronicling the career and personal journey of hockey icon Daniel Alfredsson. While he is most commonly associated with the Ottawa Senators, where he spent the majority of his legendary career, the film also pays tribute to his memorable final season with the Detroit Red Wings—marking a full-circle moment in a story defined by perseverance, leadership, and class.
Slated for global release on October 15, “The Underdog” is already being hailed as one of the most compelling sports documentaries of the year. Featuring never-before-seen footage, candid interviews, and deeply personal reflections from Alfredsson himself, the film dives into the complex layers of a player who began as a longshot sixth-round pick and ended up a Hall of Famer.
FROM GOTHENBURG TO HOCKEYTOWN: A CHAMPION’S JOURNEY
Though Alfredsson is best known for his 17 seasons with the Ottawa Senators, the film gives significant weight to his final NHL season in 2013–14 with the Detroit Red Wings—a decision that shocked many at the time but now serves as an important chapter in his career. At age 40, Alfredsson chose to chase one final opportunity at a Stanley Cup with a storied franchise. Wearing the “A” on his jersey in Detroit, he immediately earned the respect of Red Wings fans and teammates alike with his poise, work ethic, and signature on-ice intelligence.
Directed by award-winning Canadian filmmaker Sarah Polley, “The Underdog” explores not only the physical toll of that final season but also the emotional weight Alfredsson carried as a player caught between legacy and aspiration. Interviews with then-Red Wings teammates like Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, and Niklas Kronwall reveal the admiration they had for the veteran Swede, who seamlessly fit into the franchise’s storied culture of excellence.
NETFLIX DIGS DEEPER: A HUMAN STORY BEYOND THE ICE
What sets “The Underdog” apart from traditional hockey documentaries is its emotional depth and cultural reach. While the film is packed with action highlights and career milestones, its core is a personal story about identity, mental health, sacrifice, and what it means to carry the expectations of two nations.
The film chronicles Alfredsson’s modest upbringing in Gothenburg, Sweden, where he first laced up skates as a boy with dreams far beyond his small-town rink. It follows his rise through Frolunda HC and into the NHL as the 133rd overall pick in the 1994 draft—a player considered too slow, too slight, and too unassuming for a league dominated by flashier stars.
And yet, as the documentary makes clear, it was Alfredsson’s quiet intensity and relentless work ethic that turned him into one of the most consistent and respected players of his generation.
HIGHLIGHTS OF A STORIED CAREER
“The Underdog” is packed with key moments from Alfredsson’s career—including his 1996 Calder Trophy win, his legendary playoff battles with the Toronto Maple Leafs, his 1,000th NHL point, and his unforgettable leadership during the Senators’ run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2007.
Yet, it’s the lesser-known moments that truly shine. Viewers will see Alfredsson mentoring younger players in Detroit’s locker room, dealing with chronic injuries in his final season, and reflecting on his decision to leave Ottawa—a decision he has since described as “the toughest of his life.”
The documentary also features Alfredsson’s work off the ice, including his passionate advocacy for mental health. He speaks openly about the challenges of depression and burnout, particularly in the later stages of his career. These moments of vulnerability add real emotional weight to a film that never shies away from complexity.
RED WINGS CHAPTER: A FITTING FINAL ACT
Though Alfredsson only spent one season in Detroit, his time there left an impression on the organization and its fans. Former Red Wings coach Mike Babcock calls Alfredsson “one of the smartest players I ever coached,” and Zetterberg credits him with being “a leader by example from day one.”
The film captures Alfredsson’s 49-point season with Detroit, which made him the team’s leading scorer despite being 41 years old. He played on both the power play and penalty kill, mentored younger players like Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist, and remained a fixture in the Red Wings’ leadership core.
Even though the Red Wings were eliminated in the first round of the 2014 playoffs, Alfredsson’s influence was felt throughout the organization. The documentary reveals that Detroit offered him a front-office role after retirement, which he respectfully declined at the time to focus on his family and mental health advocacy work in Ottawa.
RETURN TO OTTAWA, BUT A PIECE OF DETROIT REMAINS
After hanging up his skates, Alfredsson returned to Ottawa for a final farewell, signing a one-day contract with the Senators and retiring as the team’s most iconic player. His #11 jersey was retired in 2016 in front of a sold-out Canadian Tire Centre. Still, Alfredsson has repeatedly expressed admiration for the Red Wings franchise and what it meant to finish his career wearing the Winged Wheel.
In one of the film’s most touching segments, Alfredsson visits Little Caesars Arena in Detroit years after retirement, meeting with Red Wings staff and reflecting on how the city embraced him in his final year.
HALL OF FAME RECOGNITION AND BEYOND
Alfredsson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022, a long-awaited honor that cements his legacy as one of the greatest European players in NHL history. The film includes footage of his induction speech, in which he thanks both Ottawa and Detroit fans for the role they played in shaping his journey.
“Detroit was a gift,” he says in the film. “It was hard to leave Ottawa, but the way the Red Wings welcomed me—it was something I’ll never forget.”
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE PREMIERE
“The Underdog” will premiere globally on Netflix on October 15, with a limited theatrical run in select Canadian and U.S. cities, including Detroit, Ottawa, Toronto, and New York. The Detroit premiere, set to take place at the historic Fox Theatre, will feature a red carpet event with Alfredsson and several former teammates in attendance.
Early reviews from film festivals describe the documentary as “deeply moving,” “beautifully shot,” and “essential viewing for hockey fans and non-fans alike.”
CONCLUSION: A LEGEND ON HIS OWN TERMS
Daniel Alfredsson may have worn the ‘C’ in Ottawa, but his brief yet impactful stint with the Detroit Red Wings added a final layer of depth to his story. “The Underdog” gives fans a window into the soul of a player who never sought the spotlight—but earned it through hard work, humility, and unshakable integrity.
Whether you remember him flying down the wing in Ottawa or quarterbacking the power play in Detroit, Alfredsson’s story is a reminder that greatness often comes from the most unexpected places.
And now, thanks to Netflix, the world gets to witness the full journey—on and off the ice.