North East filmmaker tells story of extraordinary farewell to ice hockey teammate

Mich Addison in his playing days. 

Possibly the most unusual and heartfelt sporting tribute ever captured on camera is the subject of Italian filmmaker Raffaele Trasatti’s latest documentary – which has been entered for the first-ever Gateshead International Film Festival (GIFF).

In September 2024, the Whitley Bay ice hockey community lost a beloved member when Mich Addison, co-founder of Newcastle University’s ice hockey team, The Wildcats, died.

The Mich Addison Memorial Tournament was then arranged at the Whitley Bay Ice Rink by his friend and Newcastle Coyotes player Paul Johnson, where Mich’s friends gathered in his honour. 

The film is set behind the scenes of the competition, with a trophy sculpted from the blades of Mich’s skates – and the games played with a puck containing his ashes, so he could enjoy a last game of hockey with his friends. 

“This film became my way to celebrate the world of sports, its inhabitants, and to say a final goodbye to my friend,” said Trasatti. 

Photo: Raffaele Trasatti

After being sidelined due to a serious knee injury, the Newcastle University film student, who comes from Milan, became a coach for The Wildcats, where he befriended Mich, who has been described as a pillar of the community. 

“Despite having no obligation to attend our late trainings, he was always there, and his presence made the rink feel like home,” the 23-year-old filmmaker said.  

After a successful crowdfunding campaign, the documentary secured distribution and premiered at the Regina International Film Festival in Canada. It has since been shown at festivals worldwide, with a goal to ‘spread awareness of mental health through film’. 

Trasatti has now submitted it for consideration at the inaugural GIFF next year. When asked how he felt about it being seen by an auidience in the North East, he told Spark: “It’s their film as much as mine.”