"4 The Love of Puck" director of photography Joe Mellor (left) and co-director/producer Adam Howard (middle) interview "Ogie," a southern California roller hockey enthusiast. Photo credit: Justin Markwalter

From Germany to Groveland Park in St. Paul, from Switzerland to southern California, two local filmmakers’ passion project “4 The Love of Puck” aims to capture the sport’s essence.

Directors and producers Adam Howard and Casimir Semlak, former Mounds View High School hockey players who co-founded Connections Media, have chronicled hockey’s culture through interviews and interactions with male and female players of various ages and ability levels as well as sled hockey players.

Teaser segments on YouTube, “show a little bit of the on-ice stuff, but what we want to explore are the personalities behind the game,” Howard said. Players interviewed spoke of bonds created through hockey and the therapeutic nature of getting together to chase the puck.

http://www.startribune.com/lights-ca...uck/566831202/