OST- Youngblood

dscn5365The NHL season begins today.  All hockey teams are starting out with a clean slate (particularly the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs) and have an equal shot at lifting Lord Stanley’s Cup.  In honor of today, I bought this record, which was $1.00. I honestly hoped to do more with this post but , alas, work got in the way.7183411_orig

Ah, sweet optimism.  After good play in the Worlds from our young stars Conor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Team Europe’s Leon Draisaitl, there is some renewed optimism for the Oilers.  But of course we say that every year this time of year.  The big storyline right now is Sid the Kid starting out with a concussion. Johnny Hockey signing a new contract with the Flames is big news.  He also had a good World Tournament.  The Vegas odds give Chicago the best shot of raising Lord Stanley’s Cup, followed by Tampa, Pittsburgh, and perennial post season chokers, Washington.  Who do I pick?  Well today, I pick the Oilers although that will probably be revised by the end of the week.cutdd

Youngblood, from 1986, is a hockey movie about a young hot shot from New York who tries to make it in the blood and guts world of Canadian Juniors with the Hamilton Mustangs.

The movie stared Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, Ed Lauter, and Cynthia Gibb.  Swayze, who from what I am told, used to figure skate as well as work at the Galleria Mall rink before acting took off. As a youth , I played hockey with his cousin. Keanu Reeves, who played goalie as a youth, also stars as the team’s tender, Heaver.

Reeves playing Beer League hockey
Reeves playing Beer League hockey

Two current at the time NHL players, longtime Leaf Steve Thomas and Peter Zezel.  Additionally, George Finn, who played Youngblood’s nemesis, Carl Racki, played four years in the Ontario Hockey League for Belleville, Sault Ste Marie, and Winsdor.   Finally, Youngblood’s father was played by Eric Nesterenko who played 21 years in the NHL, winning a cup with the Chicago Blackhawks (which was not an easy task to do before 2009).nesterenko-600-85 youngbloodd

As far as the movie goes, it is a bit tough to watch as production values have improved since 1986.  Also, the game has become less physical so parts of the movie, especially the stick swinging, seem foreign.  But back in 1986, on ice violence, especially in Juniors, was pretty common place. Finally, as far as hockey movies go, it is kind of hard to top Slapshot and Goon.  That being said, it is a pretty decent movie featuring early performances by young up and comers.

As far as the soundtrack goes, it is pretty much pure 80’s.  Featuring a “hit single” by Mickey Thomas as well as a tune by his band, Starship, the music is pretty much that 80’s rock that really did not escape the decade.  Songs by Mr Mister, Autograph, Marc Jordan, and Nick Gilder kind of put a date as to when this movie came out. I don’t like to keep harping on this album, but it is really not that good.

For a sample, I was really stuck as nothing really jumped out as good.  So I went with John Hiatt as he is usually underappreciated.  Here he is with “I’m A Real Man”.dscn5366

Maybe this year will be your teams year.  Good luck with all that.  As far as the album, meh.