Riley is a retired NHL player living in his coastal hometown of Avery River, Nova Scotia, where he helps run the family sporting goods store. He left professional hockey at twenty-nine following a severe breakdown and now manages clinical depression along with an emotional dysregulation disorder. Protective of his hard-won peace, he reacts with hostility when his estranged past intrudes on his present grief.

Adam is a retired NHL captain who spent his career projecting the image of a traditional family man to protect his professional reputation. Having recently come out to his ex-wife and finalized his divorce, he finds himself lonely and grappling with the cost of his long-held compartmentalization. He travels to Nova Scotia hoping to support his former teammate and make amends for their twelve-year silence.

Lindsay is Riley's younger sister and works as a physiotherapist. She possesses a sharp understanding of her brother's emotional fragility and acts as a firm barrier between him and potential stressors. Wary of anyone who might disrupt Riley's hard-won stability, she remains highly cautious about sudden changes in their family dynamic.

Susan is Riley and Lindsay's mother. Following the sudden loss of her husband, she focuses her energy on holding her family together rather than isolating herself in grief. Observant and gently encouraging, she recognizes the historical importance of her son's old friendships and creates natural opportunities for connection.

Maggie is Adam's ex-wife, having recently divorced him amicably after he came out as gay. She is characterized by her kindness and ongoing support for Adam as a friend and co-parent. Recognizing his unresolved history, she actively encourages him to leave Toronto and attend the funeral in Nova Scotia.

Darren is Riley's childhood friend and a central part of his chosen family in Avery River. He operates a local maple syrup farm with his husband. Highly protective and perceptive, Darren pushes Riley to prioritize his mental health and seek professional therapy when grief threatens his stability.

Tom is Darren's husband and a vital piece of Riley's local support network. He provides a gentle, grounding presence and offers practical advice to those around him. Having come out later in life, he possesses personal insight into the complexities of navigating shifting family expectations.

Harvey is Riley and Lindsay's late father and Susan's husband. Before his sudden death from a heart attack, he was a beloved community figure who coached youth hockey and ran Tuck's Sporting Goods. His passing leaves a massive void in Avery River and serves as the primary event that sets the story in motion.

Lucky is Riley's adopted dog. He lives in the renovated oceanfront house and provides constant, uncomplicated companionship to Riley during his periods of isolation and grief.

Lucy is Adam and Maggie's teenage daughter. She is observant of her father's post-divorce depression and bluntly suggests he needs to make significant changes to his lifestyle to find happiness.

Cole is Adam and Maggie's teenage son. Alongside his sister, he views his father's large suburban house as overly empty and encourages him to move forward with his life.

Cathy is a local Avery River resident who organizes the minor hockey banquet. With Harvey gone, she searches for someone to fill his role as host and eagerly accepts volunteer help.

Bea is a local vendor who sells honey with her wife. She is part of the warm, accepting community that Riley relies on for social stability in Avery River.

Nell is Bea's wife. She attends dinner parties with the local queer community and helps provide a supportive, normalized environment for her friends.

Jackson is a member of Riley's social circle in Avery River. He is married to Marcel and represents the quiet, accepted lifestyle available in the small coastal town.

Marcel is Jackson's husband, rounding out the tight-knit group of couples that form Riley's local support system.

Seb is a local Avery River resident who frequents the diner and the Dropped Anchor bar. He represents the friendly, unassuming nature of the town's inhabitants.

Cory is Riley's cousin who attends the family gathering following Harvey's funeral, representing the extended family network in town.

Ethan is Maggie's current boyfriend. His presence in Maggie's life highlights how she has successfully moved forward following her divorce.

Kevin Kroeker is a former hockey player known for his antigay biases. Though not physically present, his memory serves as a reminder of the hostile environment Riley and Adam endured during their time in the NHL.