H.E. Double Hockey Sticks (1999) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie is set in the Mid-Atlantic region, specifically in Delaware and Annapolis. Two fictional hockey teams represent opposing forces: the Delaware Demons and the Annapolis Angels. This geographical setup creates a clear thematic divide between demonic and angelic forces competing for Dave's soul through hockey.

• delaware
• annapolis
• hockey setting
• demons
• angels

The Delaware Demons are the team associated with the demonic forces led by Ms. Beelzebub. They represent temptation, ambition at any cost, and the pursuit of victory through supernatural manipulation rather than fair play. The Demons symbolize the corrupt path Dave initially chooses when he makes his Faustian bargain.

• delaware demons
• hockey team
• demonic symbolism
• villain team

The Annapolis Angels represent the opposing force of good, guided by the celestial Gabrielle. They embody teamwork, selflessness, and moral integrity. When Dave is traded to the Angels, he must choose between personal glory with the Demons or redemption through genuine teamwork and sacrifice.

• annapolis angels
• hockey team
• angelic symbolism
• hero team

Griffelkin is an apprentice demon sent by Ms. Beelzebub to Earth to engineer a Faustian bargain with Dave Heinrich. Initially working to secure Dave's soul for the Demons, Griffelkin becomes disillusioned with Beelzebub's cruelty and ultimately switches sides, helping Dave and Gabrielle achieve victory.

• griffelkin
• apprentice demon
• will friedle character

Ms. Beelzebub is Satan herself, disguised as a cunning manipulator who orchestrates the scheme to claim Dave's soul. Using theatrical tricks like a collapsible chair, she drives the central conflict by tempting young hockey players with shortcuts to glory. Her scheme ultimately fails when the heroes prevail.

• ms beelzebub
• satan
• villain
• rhea perlman character

Gabrielle is a celestial Angel who serves as the moral compass of the story. She guides Griffelkin toward redemption and inspires Dave to embrace true teamwork over personal glory. She reveals that Dave's soul can be saved if the Angels win the championship, acting as the positive force that counters Beelzebub's machinations.

• gabrielle
• angel
• gabrielle union character
• helper

Dave is driven by an intense desire to become the youngest Stanley Cup champion in history. His ambition leads him to make a dangerous deal with Griffelkin, trading his soul for hockey success. Throughout the story, he learns that true achievement comes from teamwork and selflessness rather than personal glory.

• dave heinrich
• hockey player
• matthew lawrence character
• ambition

The Redemption theme centers on moral growth and the possibility of choosing good over evil. Both Dave and Griffelkin face temptation and must ultimately decide between selfishness and selflessness. The story shows that even those aligned with demonic forces can choose redemption through courageous, loyal acts.

• redemption
• moral growth
• choice
• redemption arc

The Underdog theme presents the Annapolis Angels as underdogs facing the favored Delaware Demons. The team must learn to cooperate, adapt their strategies, and trust each other to overcome a more powerful opponent. This mirrors the internal struggle between integrity and ambition, proving that unity and effort can defeat calculated power.

• underdog
• teamwork
• sports victory
• overcoming odds

The Temptation theme revolves around the Faustian bargain that drives the plot. Beelzebub offers Dave a shortcut to his dreams, championship success, in exchange for his soul. This tests each character's loyalty and forces them to weigh ambition against morality, ultimately reinforcing that ethical choices can overcome even supernatural power.

• temptation
• faustian bargain
• deal with devil
• moral choice

Hockey serves as the battleground where the supernatural conflict plays out. The Stanley Cup championship becomes a literal showdown between demonic and angelic forces, with each game representing a step toward either damnation or salvation. The sport's competitive nature mirrors the moral struggle faced by the characters.

• hockey
• stanley cup
• supernatural conflict
• sports fantasy