Review: Ice Kings
This weekend, I had the chance to watch the documentary Ice Kings after being asked to write a review about the film for BTJ. Before last night, I had never seen another hockey documentary outside of In the Crease. So when I went to watch Ice Kings, I expected to see a similar type of documentary; boy, was I wrong. Whereas In the Crease followed a team for an entire season, Ice Kings takes a look at the history of Rhode Island hockey. It was an incredibly informative film and I felt I learned a lot while enjoying the film.
You can view the trailer for this film on its official website.
While the focus of the documentary is on the dynasty built by Mount St. Charles Academy, which won 26 consecutive state titles, the film looks at other great Rhode Island hockey teams like La Salle, Hendrickin, and Toll Gate High School. Mount has produced NHL players like former Detroit Red Wings player Mathieu Schneider and other players like Brian Berard, Garth Snow, Keith Carney, and Brian Lawton. The documentary included interviews from Ron Wilson (player for East Providence High School), Lou Lamoriello (Providence College coach), Garth Snow, Brian Lawton (1st American to ever be drafted #1 overall), and Mathieu Schneider.
Schneider played for Mount back in 1984-1986 and he said that Bill Belisle, the head coach of the team since 1976, was the hardest working guy by far. He coached and could fix both the zamboni and the soda machines in the lobby. He doesn’t allow family or friends to attend practice. On some Mondays, coach would be upset with how the team played and would make them skate three full periods worth (even when they won 4-0, but over a poor team). The team was so successful, in part, because they had their own rink and could skate as much as they want.
My favorite part of the 82 minute documentary was the history lesson about old time Rhode Island hockey at the start of the film like learning about the Rhode Island Reds and the crazy atmosphere at their games.
Mount St. Charles Academy team
You can purchase this DVD for $19.99 on their official website.
Related Posts
Leave a Reply