TORONTO - To snag the lead in ‘Score: A Hockey Musical' Noah Reid had to prove he could not only sing and act, but skate.

Luckily for the Toronto-born actor, who's making his feature film debut in the new movie from director Michael McGowan, he excelled at all three.

"I never thought this film would come along but I'm so happy it did because those are the three things I can do," Reid told CTV.ca during the Toronto International Film Festival, where the movie premiered. "And in this film I got to do them all at the same time, which was pretty awesome."

Reid plays 17-year-old Farley Gordon, a teen who gets scouted while playing a game of shinny and quickly goes on to become the nation's next hockey sensation. Raised by New Age parents (Marc Jordan and Olivia Newton-John) Farley has to learn that violence, not peace, is part of the game, all while coming to terms with his sudden fame.

For part one of his audition, Reid sang a Stan Rogers song and nailed it. But a week later, he had to prove his skills on the ice.

"I was skating so hard and I didn't have any legs left and I challenged (McGowan) to a game of one-on-one to show my team spirit and that I really wanted this role," recalled Reid.

"He was like, ‘Ok fine,' and then he totally whooped me. He thinks I let him whoop me to get the role but he's mistaken."

Having a strong background in theatre and only a few small film and television roles to his name, starring in a movie was a whole new experience for Reid.

"In film you have to dial it down and there's a world of subtlety I don't pretend to have mastered," said Reid.

"I think if you're a good actor you can play in all mediums and be able to figure out what tone is appropriate for what piece you are doing. This film was an eye-opener that there's a lot to be learned."

But Reid wasn't alone. The movie also marks the debut for his co-star Allie MacDonald, who plays Eve, Farley's best friend and love interest.

"I think that's sort of what gives the movie that special sort of feel, that it's sort of fresh and genuine, to have all these new actors and people who are eager to create something new that hasn't been done before," said MacDonald.

Born in Cape Breton, N.S., she also has an extensive background in theatre and has done a few short films, but has no experience on the big screen.

But MacDonald, who now resides in Toronto, believes that's exactly why McGowan thought she'd be perfect for the role.

"I didn't necessarily know what I was doing all the time and I had this really eager, hardworking attitude and this sort of fresh-faced (appeal). I really wanted to do a good job and make sure they were happy with what I was doing but at the same time I tried to make it very genuine and be myself."

Unlike Reid, who had to impress McGowan with his skating prowess, MacDonald says she had to "dumb down" her skills for the role.

"I wasn't the greatest hockey player but I'm a decent skater and I just had one scene in the movie where I had to pretend I didn't know how to skate because Eve's a terrible skater."

MacDonald says she and Reid became fast friends and would often spend time discussing the best way to tackle a scene.

"We were in the same situation so we kind of just took recluse in each other and helped each other. He was really encouraging at all times and was great to work with."

Both of the young stars are also in the same situation when it comes to the newfound fame they've acquired since scoring the film's lead roles.

"It's a little bizarre. I'm a hick from Cape Breton," MacDonald said with a laugh. "I was out for lunch with Mike (McGowan) and somebody came up to the table and wanted me to autograph a ‘Score' CD and somebody else wanted me to autograph a photo.

"I have only been working in film for two and a half years and this film was a huge breakout. It happened very quickly."

If there's one thing Reid has learned from his character is that it's easy to get caught up in the fame. In the film, Farley finds himself at the centre of media attention, with countless endorsement deals, including one that has him posing in his underwear on a huge billboard in Toronto's Dundas Square.

"I'm hoping I can handle it with a little more class than he did. If this film has taught me anything it's avoid underwear ads," said Reid with a laugh.

'Score: A Hockey Musical' opens in theatres Oct. 22.