Champion de hockey

Donald Duck is showing off on the ice. The kids are playing hockey and Donald brings out his Hockey Champion of Duck Swamp trophy. He challenges his nephews in a three on one game. He's unstoppable until the boys fight back with some unconventional tactics. It's a little odd when Donald is great at anything. So this starts off a little oddly. His arrogance is very much expected and that's how this plays out. That's the fun of this short. Donald gets his comeuppance once again.

This Donald Duck short is wonderfully animated and very entertaining. The story is simple, Donald challenges his nephews to a game of ice hockey leading to all sorts of winter hi-jinks. The winter setting inspires many creative sight gags, and the Disney gang uses them to the extreme. Donald's opening figure skating scene is a great piece of animation.

Not that it is a bad thing of course! My concluding thoughts after seeing The Hockey Champ.. I liked it! It is rather routine and predictable in terms of story and the pacing isn't always secure, but what does compensate is the lovely atmosphere the animation gives, a very Christmassy and nostalgic atmosphere. The music is also absolutely gorgeous, lyrical, smooth and whimsical. There are some good gags, if nothing particularly groundbreaking. Donald is excellent as usual, and his three nephews are as dastardly as ever. Clarence Nash once again does a stellar job with the voicing.

Overall, pleasant but not a classic! 8/10 Bethany Cox

Donald is skating with elegance, and grace on a frozen lake until he sees his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie playing Ice Hockey. So he decides to challenge them to a three-on-one game after showing them his 'Duck Swamp Champion' trophy.

The animation and effects were great, especially for the year that this cartoon was released. Some funny moments will rouse young children and keep them entertained.

Like all short Disney cartoons, I find the scenery looked gorgeous and the story itself was enjoyable, but not truly memorable.

On a side note, you can't help but feel a little sorry for Donald, as he seems to always get slapped around like a hockey puck.

7/10.

I'm always partial to the Disney cartoons set in winter with the quaint Victorian looks to the countryside and enchanting atmosphere (such as 1935s 'On Ice'). It looks brilliant here in this cartoon and I'm pleased to say it's one of the more inventive and clever Donald Duck shorts.

This time round the irritable duck is skating around on a frozen lake when his nephews appear for a game of hockey. He shows off to them his hockey trophy (kept in his jacket) and brags about how he's the best hockey player in the world. As you can guess already, he gets too big for his boots (err...webbed feet) and Huey, Duey and Louie play no end of tricks on him.

If only he would keep his big mouth shut once in a while huh?