Headscratchers / The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers

• Gordon Bombay was allowed to coach in the state tournament because of a technicality: the Don't Bothers hadn't been visited by college recruiters during their inaugural season because no one took them seriously. With their success in the tournament, not to mention taking over the Mighty Ducks name, that will quickly change. How will they address this next season?
  • We'll have to wait for the next season to find out. Either Bombay will have to step down, the kids still won't get visited by recruiters, or the writers will just ignore/forget the detail.
  • Or perhaps he can appeal the charges or ask for reinstatement?
  • Bombay was only coaching the tournament because Alex had gotten overly harsh on the team, so most likely she'll continue to coach while he advises.

• Given they were The Voiceless for most of the season and their lack of character development compared to the other Don't Bothers, what purpose did the Czech brothers serve as part of the story?
  • One theory is that they were relatively skilled athletes, which, combined with Evan's and Sofi's skills, provided the Don't Bothers with almost half a roster with solid hockey abilities.
  • Another theory is that they needed another two individuals to fill a 10-person roster, but wouldn’t have enough time in the season to develop those characters. So, they became two, non-English speaking brothers, explaining their lack of dialogue and screen-time. Not to mention, there’s probably cost-savings in having non-speaking roles.
  • Alternately, they might've been planned to have had their own episode as a focus, but that episode got dropped in the planning.
  • Maybe we'll see more of them next season.

• Stephanie may be an important and influential member of the Ducks board, but transferring the Mighty Duck name to the Don't Bothers seems to be way beyond one board member's authority. How will she explain this to the rest of the board?
  • "So our Coach was a moron and agreed to transfer the team's name if we lost a pickup game. Since it was a binding verbal contract, we have no choice but to transfer it or face legal action." And while the Ducks probably wouldn't be required to do it by law, Stephanie clearly intends on honoring the bet and the other board members will likely just go along with what they believe to be her law expertise on the matter.
  • Is that, taking a company's name even legal? Won't there be repercussions since they may have merchandise with that name? I mean, can anyone just gather a few people and say "I want that name now. If we win this game we will be United States of America"?
    • It's a youth hockey team, not a megacorporation.
    • The Ducks ARE a major brand now though as a result of the fame they generated in the 90s plus everything that's happened since. It's not just a local hockey team, the Gala shows there's major money being thrown around in the Ducks name.
  • Given that the Don’t Bothers were wagering their existence in the league on the game, she probably told them before the game. They agreed, probably certain they would win, and perhaps they had a backup plan in place in case of a loss.

• Seemingly significant points are made throughout the episodes, and then not brought up again.
  • While searching Bombay's office for his invite to the Duck's Gala, Alex finds a document detailing structural damage at the Ice Palace. Perhaps a Sequel Hook, but it's not mentioned again the rest of the season.
  • At the state tournament, Logan comments that the ice at the Ice Palace seems smaller. Bombay acknowledges that it is by 20 feet.

• Why does Coach T hate the Don't Bothers so much? His dislike of Bombay is understandable given his character, but he wants the entire team out of the league.
  • He's ultra competitive and sees them as a threat. He's willing to do whatever it takes to ensure there's no chance they can defeat the Ducks.
    • Quite savvy really. Bombay managed to whip a bunch of seemingly bad kid players with untapped talent into champions before, who's to say he can't do it again. T would certainly view any rival team connected to Bombay as a major threat to his winning streak.

• Most of the old Ducks attended a prestigious prep school that could have gotten them into the college - and career - of their choice. Guy and Connie seem to be doing well for themselves and Banks became an attorney, but why are the rest of them in blue-collar or service jobs? Fulton works in construction and Averman drives a limo. That doesn’t fit with going to a place like Eden Hall.
  • Fulton mentioned not being certain about playing hockey for the rest of his life, or being doubtful about going pro. If Fulton wanted to move away from hockey, that meant losing a scholarship. Additionally, while hockey might have gotten the Ducks into Eden Hall on scholarship, the only way to get that degree of financial coverage for a good college is to continue playing at a varsity level, which is highly demanding. Quite simply, the second any of them choose to stop playing hockey at an elite level is the second they lose all financial support.