arena was used as well. While there was a Memorial Cup eligible Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team located in Hamilton in 1986, they were called the Hamilton Steelhawks, as compared to the film's fictional Hamilton Mustangs. Several of the cast and crew had actual hockey experience and skills, though star Rob Lowe had to learn to skate, and both he and Patrick Swayze, a better skater, used doubles for many of their on-ice skating scenes. Director and writer Peter Markle was a former minor-pro and international player for the USA. Cinematographer Mark Irwin, a Canadian, wore skates and a helmet and devised a special rig for shooting hockey scenes on the ice. The film's hockey consultant, Eric Nesterenko, a 20 year National Hockey League veteran and Stanley Cup Champion, in addition to playing the father of Lowe's character. Keanu Reeves, who played the Mustangs goalie, had played goalie at a Toronto high school, earning the nickname "The Wall". George Finn, who played villain Carl Racki, was a former major junior player, and enforcer, in the OHL. Many of the other uncredited team members were actual major junior or NCAA hockey players, as well as two active NHL players, Steve Thomas and Peter Zezel. Lowe later said he "hated" learning how to skate. "I don't like any sport where you're already exhausted when you're done putting on the equipment. But that said, once I got the equipment on and was out on the ice, I loved that. I loved hitting people, being hit, skating. I love the exertion and competition, so that was all great. But it's a lot of work putting all of that shit on! Give me a surfboard and let me just paddle into the ocean." Release Youngblood was released in the United States on January 30, 1986. In the Philippines, the film was released as Fight for Love six years later, on July 15, 1992. Critical response The film gained a mediocre reception, with critics finding the plot derivative. It became a popular VHS video rental and cable TV showing. See also List of American films of 1986 References External links 1986 films 1986 romantic drama films 1980s sports drama films 1980s teen drama films 1980s teen romance films American ice hockey films American romantic drama films American sports drama films American teen drama films American teen romance films 1980s English-language films Films directed by Peter Markle