Boston Bruins hockey has long been woven into John Krasinski’s life, years before he became a household name through The Office. Growing up in Massachusetts, the actor frequently found himself connected to local sports, including opportunities that arrived well before his Hollywood breakthrough.
One of those early projects eventually produced a story that has stayed with him for years, leading into a memorable behind-the-scenes account.
John Krasinski Reveals Bruins Hit That Hurt His Knee for 6 Years
Krasinski looked back on one of his earliest acting jobs during an interview with “WIRED,” revealing that a Boston Bruins commercial turned into a painful lesson after he encouraged Joe Thornton to make the final take look more realistic.
Reflecting on the experience, Krasinski said, “My first commercial ever was a Dunkin’ Donuts spot where I got to skate with the Boston Bruins.”
The advertisement centered on a fan who won the chance to share the ice with a Bruins player, giving the future actor an unforgettable introduction to commercial work.
According to Krasinski, filming stretched across numerous attempts because the physical contact wasn’t convincing enough on camera. After repeatedly shooting the same sequence, he decided to change the approach himself.
“We did about 20 or 30 takes, but it didn’t look like he really hit me. I said, ‘On this last one, really hit me,’ and it’s the one they used,” Krasinski recalled.
The request produced exactly the reaction he had asked for. Joe Thornton delivered a genuine body check that completely changed the scene. Krasinski admitted the collision sent him airborne, saying, “He kicked me six feet off the ice. My skates came into the frame, and my knee wasn’t right for about six years. So thanks, Dunkin’ Donuts.”
Although Krasinski did not identify the player during his retelling, the commercial featured 2025 Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Thornton during his time with the Bruins. What began as an effort to improve the realism of the advertisement ended with an injury that lingered well beyond filming.
Ironically, the unexpected hit also produced the exact footage the production team wanted. The final collision made the commercial memorable, while Krasinski’s spontaneous reaction added to the humor of the scene.
The commercial also represented an important early step in Krasinski’s career.
Before starring as Jim Halpert in ‘The Office,’ he appeared in several regional advertisements connected to his Massachusetts roots. He later featured in another Dunkin’ campaign alongside Boston Red Sox legend Nomar Garciaparra, making the brand an unexpected part of his journey before Hollywood success.
ALSO READ: Boston Bruins Linked With $69,600,000 Team USA Champion
Meanwhile, the Bruins are now entering a new chapter themselves.
The organization has reshaped both its roster and front office, adding players such as JJ Peterka, Will Borgen, Connor Clifton, and James Hagens while promoting new leadership around General Manager Don Sweeney.
