King of Hockey

College hockey hero Gabby Dugan turns professional and teams up with new teammate Jumbo Mullins. The O'Rourke sisters, Kathleen and Peggy, are introduced when their family attends a game, establishing a potential romantic connection for Gabby. This early encounter sets the stage for Gabby's world beyond the rink.

Before a game, gambler Nick Torga approaches Gabby with a offer to pay him to intentionally take penalties that would harm his team chances. Gabby refuses the offer, showing his integrity. The seed of trouble is planted as a consequence of this encounter.

Despite refusing the bribe, Gabby begins taking penalties intentionally because the O'Rourke family sits near the penalty box, giving him a chance to court Kathleen. His unusual behavior catches some attention and begins to blur the line between competition and personal interest. The plan foreshadows darker motives behind his play.

Nick misreads Gabby's actions and sends money to his residence, believing Gabby has agreed to throw games. Jumbo Mullins also concludes that Gabby has accepted payment and sold out. The suspicions strain their friendship and threaten team trust.

When Jumbo directly accuses Gabby of throwing games, they clash in a heated confrontation. The fight escalates and Jumbo clubs Gabby over the head with a stick. Gabby sustains a head injury that alters the course of his career.

The head injury triggers a degradation of Gabby's eyesight. His doctor advises immediately wearing glasses to head off further damage, but Gabby refuses, aiming to finish the playoff run. The stubborn stance sets up a tragic arc as vision deteriorates.

With his failing sight and mysterious penalties, team officials grow suspicious that Gabby is throwing games. In the next game, his poor vision makes him play poorly, even shooting the puck into his own net. The coach uses this as evidence and suspends him from the league.

The delay in treatment causes Gabby to go completely blind. The loss of vision ends his immediate hockey career and casts a shadow over his future. He grapples with isolation as his world narrows to darkness.

The only hope for restoring his eyesight is an operation he cannot afford. Gabby stubbornly refuses to ask for help from Kathleen, clinging to his pride. He retreats into solitude, cutting himself off from friends and family.

Jumbo eventually locates Gabby and learns what really happened. Gabby explains the truth but angrily demands to be left alone. This confrontation pushes him further into isolation and resentment.

Jumbo reports to Kathleen, who visits Gabby and pushes for treatment. She convinces Gabby to undergo the operation to restore his vision. Her intervention marks a turning point against his stubborn pride.

The operation successfully restores Gabby's eyesight. Recovered sight allows him to return to the ice with renewed confidence. The emotional arc also paves the way for a renewed romance with Kathleen.

With his vision restored, Gabby resumes his on-ice heroics and reclaim his standing among teammates. He also rekindles his romance with Kathleen as life returns to a hopeful equilibrium. The story closes on a note of redemption and renewed partnership.