Quack. Quack. Quack.
If you grew up in the nineties, that rhythmic chant probably lives somewhere in the back of your brain, right next to the lyrics of the Fresh Prince theme song. It's been over thirty years since Emilio Estevez led a group of misfit kids onto the ice in Minneapolis, and honestly, the legacy of that franchise is kind of baffling. It wasn't just a movie; it birthed an actual NHL team. But while the Anaheim Ducks are still skating, the actors who made the Flying V famous have taken some pretty wild paths.
Looking at the Mighty Ducks cast now, you realize that child stardom is a weird, fickle thing. Some of these kids became household names. Others vanished into "normal" life, which, let's be real, is probably a lot healthier than the Hollywood grind. You’ve got everything from Emmy winners to people who literally walked away from acting to become teachers or tech experts.
It’s not just a nostalgia trip. The way this cast has stuck together—or drifted apart—tells us a lot about how the industry treats young performers.
Emilio Estevez: The Captain of the Ship
Emilio Estevez was already a Brat Pack legend when he signed on to play Gordon Bombay. He was the "serious" one, the guy from The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire. For him, The Mighty Ducks was supposed to be a "one for them" project so he could get the funding to direct his own films.
Funny how things work out.
Bombay became his most recognizable role. For a long time, Estevez seemed to have a complicated relationship with that. He didn't show up for the third movie in a major capacity, and he spent years focusing on directing projects like Bobby and The Way. He really leaned into his identity as a filmmaker rather than a movie star.
Then came Game Changers.
In 2021, Disney+ brought the franchise back. Seeing Emilio back on the ice felt right. It was like no time had passed, even though he looked a bit more weathered (in a cool, mentor sort of way). However, things got messy behind the scenes. He left the show after the first season. There were rumors about vaccine mandates, which his team later clarified was more about creative differences and a contract dispute. It was a bummer for fans, but it proved one thing: Emilio is still fiercely independent. These days, he’s mostly focused on his vineyard and writing. He’s not chasing the blockbuster dragon anymore. He doesn't have to.
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Joshua Jackson: From Charlie Conway to Prestige TV
If you were a girl in 1992, you probably had a crush on Charlie Conway. If you were a boy, you wanted to be him. Joshua Jackson was the heart of the team. He was the "Spane" (Spane? No, that’s not it—the "Captain").
He’s arguably had the most successful post-Ducks career.
Think about it. He went straight from the ice to Dawson’s Creek. Most child actors hit a wall when they hit puberty, but Jackson just got more famous. He transitioned from teen idol to a legitimate dramatic actor in Fringe, which is still a sci-fi masterpiece if you haven't seen it.
Lately, he’s been killing it in the prestige TV world. The Affair, Little Fires Everywhere, and Dr. Death showed a much darker, more complex side of him than the kid who couldn't score a goal. He’s become one of those actors you see on a poster and think, "Okay, this is going to be good." He’s also a dad now, which makes all of us feel ancient. He’s managed to avoid the "former child star" trap by constantly reinventing his "vibe."
Elden Henson: The Bash Brother Who Became a Hero
Elden Henson played Fulton Reed, the kid with the literal "slap shot from hell." He was the muscle.
It’s actually pretty cool to see where he ended up. Elden stayed very active in the industry, but he really hit a second stride in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If you watched Daredevil on Netflix (or now on Disney+), you know him as Foggy Nelson. He’s the moral compass of that whole show.
He’s got this great, grounded energy. He doesn't look like a typical "Hollywood" guy, which has actually helped him stay employed for three decades. He also had a significant role in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay movies as Pollux. He’s one of those actors who is "everywhere" but manages to keep a low profile. He’s proof that being a character actor is often a better long-term career move than being a leading man.
The Kids Who Left the Spotlight
Not everyone wanted to stay in the "biz." And honestly? Good for them.
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Take Marguerite Moreau (Connie Moreau). She’s still acting—she was in the Wet Hot American Summer series—but she’s also very selective. She’s stayed close with the cast, appearing in various reunions. She seems to have found a balance that most actors fail to find.
Then there’s Shaun Weiss.
We have to talk about Shaun because his story is the most dramatic. He played Goldberg, the goalie. For years, headlines about him were heartbreaking. He struggled with severe substance abuse issues and legal troubles. The photos that circulated a few years ago were shocking.
But this is the part that actually matters: he’s doing better.
Shaun has been open about his recovery journey. The "Ducks" community actually rallied around him. Fans helped fund his dental work (meth use had destroyed his teeth), and he’s been clean for a significant amount of time now. He’s even started doing stand-up and appearing at conventions. It’s the kind of comeback story Gordon Bombay would have written a speech about.
Where is Kenan Thompson?
Actually, you know exactly where he is.
Kenan joined the cast in D2: The Mighty Ducks as Russ Tyler, the guy with the "knuckleball" shot. He is currently the longest-running cast member in the history of Saturday Night Live. Think about that. He has been on TV every week for decades. He’s basically an institution at this point.
Kenan’s success is massive. He’s won Emmys. He’s had his own sitcoms. But whenever he’s asked about the Ducks, he lights up. He knows that movie was the springboard. He’s one of the few people who can say they were a star on Nickelodeon (All That, Kenan & Kel) and still be relevant thirty years later. That doesn't happen by accident. It happens because he's genuinely funny and, by all accounts, the nicest guy in the room.
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The Others: A Quick Check-in
- Garette Ratliff Henson (Guy Germaine): He eventually stepped away from the limelight to focus on film school and eventually became a father. He still pops up for reunions, looking exactly like a grown-up version of the kid you remember.
- Vincent LaRusso (Adam Banks): The "cake eater." Banks was the best player on the team. LaRusso largely left acting behind to pursue a career in the corporate world, though he did make a cameo in the Game Changers series. He’s got a very "normal" life now, which is a recurring theme for the Minnesota kids.
- Matt Doherty (Les Averman): The jokester. Matt is still involved in the industry, doing some acting and producing. He’s also one of the biggest cheerleaders for the franchise’s legacy on social media.
- Danny Tamberelli (Tommy Duncan): He was only in the first movie, but he’s a 90s icon because of The Adventures of Pete & Pete. He’s a musician now and does a lot of nostalgia-based podcasting.
Why We Still Care About a 90s Hockey Movie
It’s easy to dismiss The Mighty Ducks as just another Disney sports movie. But the Mighty Ducks cast now represents something specific: the endurance of "team" culture.
Most movie casts finish a project and never speak again. This group is different. They actually hang out. They have group chats. When one of them is in trouble—like Shaun Weiss—the others step up.
There’s a reason people still wear District 5 jerseys to NHL games. The movie tapped into this idea that being a "loser" is just a temporary state of mind. It’s about the "Quack" cheer. It’s about the fact that Gordon Bombay was a flawed, selfish guy who found redemption through a bunch of kids who didn't even have skates that fit.
The Legacy of the "Game Changers" Era
When Disney+ launched The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, it forced a reckoning with the original's legacy. It turned the Ducks into the "bad guys"—the overbearing, hyper-competitive program they used to hate. It was a smart move. It allowed the original cast to return as the underdogs again.
Seeing the OGs (Original Geeks) return in Season 1, Episode 6 was a massive moment for fans. Seeing Guy, Connie, Averman, Adam Banks, and Kenny Wu back on the ice together? It wasn't just fanservice. It felt like a family reunion. It reminded us that while they’ve aged, the "Duck" spirit is surprisingly resilient.
How to Keep Up With the Ducks
If you want to follow what the Mighty Ducks cast now is actually doing day-to-day, social media is your best bet, but you have to know where to look.
- Follow the Podcasts: Many cast members, like Matt Doherty and Danny Tamberelli, guest on 90s nostalgia podcasts. They often share "behind the scenes" stories that Disney definitely wouldn't have put on the DVD extras.
- Watch the Re-runs: Both the original trilogy and the new series are on Disney+. Interestingly, the first movie holds up much better than you’d expect. It’s grittier than the sequels.
- Convention Circuits: Elden Henson and Shaun Weiss are becoming regulars at fan conventions. If you want a signed puck or a photo with a "Bash Brother," that's where you'll find them.
- Charity Work: The cast frequently reunites for charity hockey games. They use their platform to support youth sports programs, which is a pretty "Full Circle" move if you ask me.
The story of the Mighty Ducks cast isn't over. They aren't just "former child stars" frozen in amber. They are a group of adults who shared a very strange, very public childhood and came out the other side—some scarred, some incredibly successful, but all still connected by a fictional hockey team from the 90s.
And honestly? That's better than any movie ending. Ducks fly together. Always.