Plots
A 17-year-old farmhand from rural New York state, Dean "Deaner" Youngblood (Rob Lowe) has dreams of playing in the National Hockey League. Dean voices these dreams to his father, but receives negative feedback, and it is not until his brother, Kelly Youngblood, convinces their father to let him try that he is granted the chance to travel north to the tryout for the Hamilton Mustangs. At the try-outs, Youngblood demonstrates the abilities which garnered him "92 goals in the New York League" but also displays a lack of physical toughness that is so prized in hockey. This perceived weakness is pounced upon by brutish player, Carl Racki (George J. Finn), who is also trying out for the team and engages him in a fight. Youngblood quickly learns that flashiness and pure athletic ability will not be enough to be successful in this league. Despite being one-punched by Racki, the coach opts to select Deaner for a spot on the team. He ingratiates himself to the other players through a hazing ritual in which members of the Mustangs pin Youngblood down, and Captain Derek Sutton (Patrick Swayze) shaves his testicles. Youngblood has his first run in with the coache's daughter (Cynthia Gibb), after this incident, and an early attraction is felt. Following this incident Youngblood further bonds with the team through underage drinking at the local bar and having two of his teammates, including the Quebecois goalie played by Keanu Reeves, watch as he is seduced by his female landlord.
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 Youngblood as he and Racki engage in a violent fight to the finish with 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.
Read more about this topic: Youngblood (1986 Film)
Famous quotes containing the word plots:
“‘O opportunity! thy guilt is great,
‘Tis thou that execut’st the traitor’s treason;
Thou set’st the wolf where he the lamb may get;
Whoever plots the sin, thou point’st the season;
‘Tis thou that spurn’st at right, at law, at reason;
And in thy shady cell, where none may spy him,
Sits Sin to seize the souls that wander by him.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Nothing aids which may not also injure us.
Fire serves us well, but he who plots to burn
His neighbor’s roof arms his hands with fire.”
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso)