In a cinematic tribute to one of the NHL’s most underrated superstars, Netflix has released “The Underdog,” a riveting and emotionally charged documentary that finally gives New York Rangers icon Brian Leetch the full spotlight his career has long deserved. Far more than just a highlight reel, the film dives into the blood, sweat, and heartbreak that defined Leetch’s rise from Connecticut kid to Stanley Cup champion and one of the greatest defensemen in hockey history.
From the moment the film opens, viewers are thrown into the rough-and-tumble world of 1990s hockey — a gritty, brutal, and unrelenting battlefield where finesse was often overshadowed by force. Yet in this era, Leetch carved out a reputation as a true two-way force. Known for his elegant skating, pinpoint passing, and uncanny ability to control the pace of the game, Leetch’s brilliance wasn’t always flashy, but it was impossible to ignore.
Directed with intense focus and emotional weight, “The Underdog” retraces Leetch’s improbable journey from the U.S. college ranks with Boston College to becoming the first American-born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1994. That same year, he helped lift the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years — a moment that sent shockwaves through New York and forever etched Leetch’s name into hockey lore.
The documentary doesn’t shy away from the challenges he faced. Injuries, media pressure, and the heavy expectations of captaining an Original Six franchise in the most demanding sports market in the world are all explored with unflinching honesty. Interviews with former teammates, coaches, rivals, and Leetch himself provide powerful insight into the resilience and character that defined his approach to the game.
Yet the most emotional moments come when the film dives into his off-ice demeanor — a humble, fiercely private individual who let his play do the talking. Teammates recall his quiet leadership and the way he lifted the team not with words, but with game-changing plays when the lights were brightest.
Archival footage from the 1994 Stanley Cup Final, particularly Leetch’s jaw-dropping end-to-end rushes and signature blue-line mastery, are presented with new clarity and depth. For fans who lived through it, it’s a nostalgic punch to the heart. For younger viewers, it’s a vivid education in what true hockey greatness looks like — without ego or spotlight-chasing.
“The Underdog” is more than just a hockey documentary. It’s a compelling story of grit, grace, and greatness earned the hard way. Brian Leetch may never have been the loudest or most celebrated name during his era, but this film cements what die-hard fans have always known: he was one of the best to ever do it.
With “The Underdog,” Netflix has delivered a masterstroke — a long-overdue homage to a quiet giant whose legacy, at last, is roaring to life.