Hockey Clips

Like any great sport, hockey has its fair share of fine cinema representations. Not all of them are as well known as Raging Bull or White Men Can’t Jump, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth tracking down. Here are a few of the best titlessome of which you’ll recognize, and some of which will be new favorites.

1. Mystery, Alaska: One of the best-known hockey films, this classic from director Jay Roach (Dinner for Schmucks, Meet the Fockers) and writer David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal, The Practice) focuses on a small-town team that ends up facing off against the New York Rangers. Full of both comedy and drama, the film has a rousing end that’ll have you cheering.
2. The Rocket: The Rocket is a recent addition to the hockey film category, but considering it won 9 awards at the 2007 Genie Awards ceremony, the film has proved its staying power. The story is a historically-accurate representation of the life of player Maurice Richard, one of the most recognized players of all time.
3. Slap Shot: This comedic representation of hockey politics stars Paul Newman and is directed by his Butch Cassidy collaborator, George Roy Hill. The Hanson Brothers from the film have become cultural icons, and were probably most responsible for the two sequels that followed.
4. The Mighty Ducks: Many kids growing up in the 1990s remember this classic comedy, which stars Emilio Estevez as an aggressive lawyer who coaches an underachieving youth team. The movie inspired an actual NHL team, two sequels, and somehow an animated science-fiction series.
5. Youngblood: Some people view this more as an unintentional comedy than an actual film, but stars Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze make this an entertaining ’80s look at hockey culture. Keanu Reeves also appears in his first film as the French-Canadian team’s goalie.