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Hockey’s Hollywood Moment Hits AFM As Liam Neeson Will Play Legendary Coach In ‘Believe 13’ About Bond With Injured High School Star
Liam Neeson will play hockey coach Jack Blatherwick in *Believe 13*, a planned film about Blatherwick’s bond with injured teenage player Jack “Jabby” Jablonski. The story follows how their friendship helped Jablonski and inspired his high-school team, bringing a real-life account of resilience and hockey into a feature film.
Directed by Robert Lorenz and written by Randy Brown, the film is based on the life rights of Blatherwick and Jablonski, who was paralysed by a spinal injury at 16. Blatherwick helped train the 1980 US Olympic team behind the “Miracle on Ice” and later worked with the New York Rangers. Filming is due to begin in Minnesota in early 2027, with further casting under way.
In short
- Liam Neeson is set to play coach Jack Blatherwick.
- The film tells the story of Blatherwick and injured player Jabby Jablonski.
- Production is planned for Minnesota in early 2027.
Explained simply
Ice hockey is a fast-moving team sport played on an ice rink, and high-school teams can be an important part of players’ lives. Jack “Jabby” Jablonski was 16 when a spinal injury left him paralysed. His friendship with coach Jack Blatherwick became a source of support for him and his team.
Blatherwick is known for helping train the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team, which became famous for its upset victory over the Soviet Union at the Winter Olympics. He later worked with the New York Rangers, a professional team in the National Hockey League. The planned film draws on the life stories of both men, connecting Jablonski’s experience with Blatherwick’s career in the sport.
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