D3: The Mighty Ducks

After their victory at the Junior Goodwill Games, The Mighty Ducks and captain Charlie Conway are awarded junior varsity hockey scholarships to Eden Hall Academy. The move signals a major transition from child heroes to prep-school athletes. Coach Bombay is leaving the Ducks to take a job with the Junior Goodwill Games, and Ted Orion is introduced as the new head coach.

Charlie finds the move to Eden Hall and the onset of adolescence difficult, clashing with the school’s changes and the presence of the stern new coach. He resents Bombay's departure and resists Orion's two-way hockey philosophy. The team begins facing a harsher, more disciplined style of play.

Adam Banks qualifies to play for Varsity, shrinking the Ducks' roster and shifting responsibilities to the remaining players. Jesse Hall and Dean Portman have not accepted scholarships and will not be joining the Ducks. The team braces for a tougher season with fewer experienced players.

The Ducks struggle in their opening game, surrendering a large lead to their rival school. Later, Varsity challenges them to an unsanctioned early-morning match, and the Ducks are decisively routed. Orion, frustrated by the debacle, strips the team of their jerseys and proclaims, 'The Ducks are dead'.

The team's humiliation drives Charlie and Fulton to consider walking away from hockey. Charlie specifically quits and plans to return to public school, seeking a different path, while Fulton is left reeling and undecided about his own future with hockey.

Charlie's behaviour isolates him from his mother and teammates, and the ailing Hans dies. The day after the funeral, Bombay arrives to take Charlie back to Eden Hall and shares Orion's background—how his Minnesota North Stars career ended and how he stayed to care for his paraplegic daughter. The emotional moment reframes Charlie's understanding of responsibility.

Moved by Bombay's words and the chance to redeem himself, Charlie agrees to rejoin the team and re-embrace his role as a Duck. The reconciliation emphasizes the idea that leadership and heart can guide them through adversity. The Ducks begin to see a path back to their former camaraderie.

Arriving at the team bus for the next game, Charlie tells Orion that he wants to play 'two-way hockey', balancing offense and defense. Orion is surprised but accepts the request, signaling renewed trust. The team prepares to depart for battle under the two-way system.

Dean Buckley informs the team that the board of trustees intends to revoke the Ducks' scholarships. Bombay, a former lawyer, fights the decision, threatening an injunction and promising a lawsuit if the board expels them. The board relents, reinstating the Ducks' scholarships to avoid a protracted legal battle.

With the scholarships reinstated, Adam Banks returns to the Ducks. The team fully adopts Orion's two-way strategy and dons the Ducks' jerseys again, restoring their identity and morale. A renewed sense of purpose sweeps through the squad as they prepare for the crucial upcoming game.

Dean Portman returns to the Ducks during the second intermission, providing a spark. The Varsity dominates on offense, but the Ducks' defense holds the line through two periods. In the final moments, Charlie breaks away, passes to Goldberg, who scores the winning goal as time expires for a 1-0 Ducks victory.

The Ducks win the game and Charlie embraces Orion while spotting Bombay in the crowd. They share a look across the rink at Eden Hall's banner, signaling a hopeful future. Bombay departs the rink amid the cheers, a smile on his face as the team regroups with renewed faith.