Hockey may not be as popular or as well-known as basketball’s Any Given Sunday, football’s Friday Night Lights, or baseball’s Moneyball, but the sport has its share of movies, from the inspirational 1992 family classic The Mighty Ducks to the more serious Slap Shot. And while some of these films stray away from the game itself, many of them are a joy for any hockey fan to watch.
The movie takes a look at a group of low-level amateur hockey players, who have to overcome their personal demons and fight to the death for the chance to compete against a New York Rangers team led by Russell Crowe in a game on television. This Canadian film’s cast includes several former Johnstown Jets (Dave Hanson and the Carlson brothers) as extras, as well as the real-life players who play the lead roles of the team in the film. The production filmed in and around Johnstown, including at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena and Starr Rink; the Utica Memorial Auditorium (used as Peterborough for the pre-game brawl); and the Onondaga County War Memorial Arena (where the Hanson brothers charge into the stands to accost a fan).
Despite being more of a drama than a sports flick, this movie is still an enjoyable watch for fans of the game. The story of the real-life hockey heroes who formed the NHL players’ union in the 1960s is a gripping one, and director Jerry Cicciorti wisely avoids leaning too heavily into the brutality that makes pro hockey so hard to stomach.
Every sport deserves its behind-the-scenes docudrama — and this one has more than its fair share of action and drama. Kurt Russell stars as Herb Brooks, the real-life coach who took his college-based US men’s hockey team to the 1980 Olympics against a formidable Soviet team. The movie is filled with a whole lot of flag-waving patriotism, which makes it a fun watch for parents and kids alike.
The life of Maurice “Rocket” Richard, the most famous goal scorer in the history of the National Hockey League, is told in this award-winning Canadian film. The film was made with the approval of Richard before his death, and the movie captures the spirit and the legend of a true giant in the game.