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Youngblood (1986 film)
Encyclopedia
Youngblood is a 1986
American
drama film, starring Rob Lowe
, Patrick Swayze
, Cynthia Gibb
, Keanu Reeves
and Ed Lauter
.
state, Dean Youngblood (Rob Lowe
) has dreams of playing in the National Hockey League
. First he must prove to himself, his family and his teammates that he can survive in the harsh, brutal world of Canadian Junior Hockey with a rag tag team of roughnecks, the Hamilton Mustangs. Possessing blazing speed and a quick stick, he has a violent run-in with a brutish player, Carl Racki (George J. Finn), during try-outs. Youngblood quickly learns that flashiness and pure athletic ability will not be enough to be successful in this league.
After his mentor and friend on the team, Derek Sutton (Patrick Swayze
) is brutally injured by the thuggish Racki (now with the rival Thunder Bay Bombers), Youngblood returns home to the farm out of fear, sadness, and disgust. After a pep-talk by his older brother, Kelly (Jim Youngs
) about the nature of never quitting and always standing up for yourself, Youngblood is inspired to learn how to fight and survive on the ice and adapt the killer instinct that has been stopping him from being successful. Youngblood returns to the team a new man, ready to confront Racki in the final game of the Memorial Cup
playoffs between his team and the Thunder Bay Bombers.
The game ends with a stunning game-winning penalty shot by Youngblood; yet it is far from over as Youngblood demands to his coach, Murray Chadwick (Ed Lauter
) to be left in the game as time expires to confront Racki. "Let's go, Pretty Boy!" says Racki as he and Youngblood engage in a violent fight to the finish with his teammates and crowd including Youngblood's father Blane (Eric Nesterenko
) and girlfriend Jessie (Cynthia Gibb
) (Coach Chadwick's daughter), cheering him on. The fight starts with both Youngblood and Racki using their sticks as swords until Youngblood knocks Racki's stick out of his hands. Youngblood and Racki then fight bare-handed. Youngblood emerges victorious, landing several blows to the face and body of his nemesis Racki, and is carried off the ice on the shoulders of his teammates in celebration.
, which airs the film during the Stanley Cup playoffs
.
and the late Peter Zezel
both have small, non-speaking roles as Youngblood's teammates on the Mustangs. The film also starred Canadian former professional National Hockey League (NHL) player Eric Nesterenko
, who played the father of character Dean Youngblood. Toronto Maple Leafs
TV and radio play-by-play broadcaster Joe Bowen
played the announcer for the Hamilton Mustangs.
1986 in film
-Events:*April 12 - Actor Morgan Mason marries The Go-Go's Belinda Carlisle.*April 26 - Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger marries television journalist Maria Shriver.*May - Actress Heather Locklear marries Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee....
American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
drama film, starring Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe
Robert Hepler "Rob" Lowe is an American actor. Lowe came to prominence after appearing in films such as The Outsiders, Oxford Blues, About Last Night..., St. Elmo's Fire, and Wayne's World. On television, Lowe is known for his role as Sam Seaborn on The West Wing and his role as Senator Robert...
, Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze
Patrick Wayne Swayze was an American actor, dancer and singer-songwriter. He was best known for his tough-guy roles, as romantic leading men in the hit films Dirty Dancing and Ghost, and as Orry Main in the North and South television miniseries. He was named by People magazine as its "Sexiest...
, Cynthia Gibb
Cynthia Gibb
Cynthia Gibb is an American actress and former model who has starred in film and on television. She is 5'-2" tall.-Biography:...
, Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves
Keanu Charles Reeves is a Canadian actor. Reeves is perhaps best known for his roles in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Speed, Point Break and the science fiction-action trilogy The Matrix...
and Ed Lauter
Ed Lauter
Edward Lauter is an American actor. He has appeared in numerous movies and was a stand up comic before getting into acting.Lauter was born in Long Beach, Long Island, New York...
.
Plots
A 17-year-old farmhand from rural New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
state, Dean Youngblood (Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe
Robert Hepler "Rob" Lowe is an American actor. Lowe came to prominence after appearing in films such as The Outsiders, Oxford Blues, About Last Night..., St. Elmo's Fire, and Wayne's World. On television, Lowe is known for his role as Sam Seaborn on The West Wing and his role as Senator Robert...
) has dreams of playing in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. First he must prove to himself, his family and his teammates that he can survive in the harsh, brutal world of Canadian Junior Hockey with a rag tag team of roughnecks, the Hamilton Mustangs. Possessing blazing speed and a quick stick, he has a violent run-in with a brutish player, Carl Racki (George J. Finn), during try-outs. Youngblood quickly learns that flashiness and pure athletic ability will not be enough to be successful in this league.
After his mentor and friend on the team, Derek Sutton (Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze
Patrick Wayne Swayze was an American actor, dancer and singer-songwriter. He was best known for his tough-guy roles, as romantic leading men in the hit films Dirty Dancing and Ghost, and as Orry Main in the North and South television miniseries. He was named by People magazine as its "Sexiest...
) is brutally injured by the thuggish Racki (now with the rival Thunder Bay Bombers), Youngblood returns home to the farm out of fear, sadness, and disgust. After a pep-talk by his older brother, Kelly (Jim Youngs
Jim Youngs
Jim Youngs is an American actor. Youngs was born in Old Bethpage, New York, the brother of actor John Savage, actress/producer Gail Youngs, and journalist/producer/director Robin Young.-Career:...
) about the nature of never quitting and always standing up for yourself, Youngblood is inspired to learn how to fight and survive on the ice and adapt the killer instinct that has been stopping him from being successful. Youngblood returns to the team a new man, ready to confront Racki in the final game of the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
playoffs between his team and the Thunder Bay Bombers.
The game ends with a stunning game-winning penalty shot by Youngblood; yet it is far from over as Youngblood demands to his coach, Murray Chadwick (Ed Lauter
Ed Lauter
Edward Lauter is an American actor. He has appeared in numerous movies and was a stand up comic before getting into acting.Lauter was born in Long Beach, Long Island, New York...
) to be left in the game as time expires to confront Racki. "Let's go, Pretty Boy!" says Racki as he and Youngblood engage in a violent fight to the finish with his teammates and crowd including Youngblood's father Blane (Eric Nesterenko
Eric Nesterenko
Eric "Sonja" Nesterenko is a Canadian former professional National Hockey League player from 1951 to 1972, playing centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs until 1956 and for the Chicago Black Hawks thereafter. In 1973–74 he played for the Chicago Cougars of the World Hockey Association, after a year...
) and girlfriend Jessie (Cynthia Gibb
Cynthia Gibb
Cynthia Gibb is an American actress and former model who has starred in film and on television. She is 5'-2" tall.-Biography:...
) (Coach Chadwick's daughter), cheering him on. The fight starts with both Youngblood and Racki using their sticks as swords until Youngblood knocks Racki's stick out of his hands. Youngblood and Racki then fight bare-handed. Youngblood emerges victorious, landing several blows to the face and body of his nemesis Racki, and is carried off the ice on the shoulders of his teammates in celebration.
Television rights
The television rights to Youngblood are held by VersusVersus (TV channel)
Versus is a sports-oriented cable television channel in the United States. It was previously known as Outdoor Life Network and was launched on July 1, 1995, focusing on fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports...
, which airs the film during the Stanley Cup playoffs
Stanley Cup playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs is an elimination tournament in the National Hockey League consisting of four rounds of best-of-seven series. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records...
.
Cameos
Then-active NHL players Steve ThomasSteve Thomas (ice hockey)
Stephen Antony "Stumpy” Thomas is a retired English-born Canadian ice hockey right winger who played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Detroit Red Wings...
and the late Peter Zezel
Peter Zezel
Peter Zezel was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who spent 15 seasons in the National Hockey League between 1984 and 1999. He was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario.-Playing career:...
both have small, non-speaking roles as Youngblood's teammates on the Mustangs. The film also starred Canadian former professional National Hockey League (NHL) player Eric Nesterenko
Eric Nesterenko
Eric "Sonja" Nesterenko is a Canadian former professional National Hockey League player from 1951 to 1972, playing centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs until 1956 and for the Chicago Black Hawks thereafter. In 1973–74 he played for the Chicago Cougars of the World Hockey Association, after a year...
, who played the father of character Dean Youngblood. Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
TV and radio play-by-play broadcaster Joe Bowen
Joe Bowen
Joe Bowen , is a Canadian sportscaster. He is known as "The Voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs", having broadcast over 2,100 Leaf Games. He started calling games for the Leafs in 1982, after calling games for the Nova Scotia Voyageurs.Bowen's catchphrase is "Holy Mackinaw!", typically used when an...
played the announcer for the Hamilton Mustangs.