It may be summer vacation, but the Ducks are still ready to hit the ice!

After winning back the Mighty Ducks team name last year, our squad-with-heart and their coach Alex Morrow (Lauren Graham) take to the road to attend an intense summer hockey institute in California run by charming yet hardcore former NHL player, Colin Cole (Josh Duhamel). It’s a place for kids to get excellent at hockey — without school to get in the way. As our Ducks try to survive in this super-competitive environment, they’re faced with the question: Can you win summer?

The first four episodes of Mighty Ducks: Game Changers season 2 were provided by Disney+ for review.

The Ducks are back and better than ever

After a premiere season that brought the Ducks together, season 2 comes along to put their bond to the test. The switch from following the team during the school year to following them during summer break works wonderfully. It removes the specific tension of trying to compete against other teams to make it to the championship, but replaces it with more interpersonal and environmental tension. 

At the elite camp EPIC, the Mighty Ducks find themselves competing against their teammates – and dozens of the best players from around the country. This is not the fun team-building, confidence-boosting practices of days past. This is INTENSE. It’s a completely new experience for these kids, and they all handle the change and pressure differently. 

Because of the radically different environment, Mighty Ducks: Game Changers season 2 feels totally fresh and fun. Also – and this seems strange to say – it actually feels like we get more hockey action in this season, even though we’re not building up to a championship game.

You can’t help rooting for these characters

Mighty Ducks: Game Changers succeeds because all of the characters are just so lovable. You really do want the best for each and every one of them; you’re always rooting for them to overcome their next obstacle. 

Evan loves the competitive nature of the camp, but his commitment to placing on the leaderboard starts driving a wedge between him and his friends; EPIC proves so intense Nick almost abandons hockey; Sofi bonds with new character Jace about dealing with the pressure of perfection. Even while the Ducks are all at camp together, they’re having fundamentally different experiences.

Josh Duhamel as Coach Cole in Mighty Ducks: Game Changers Season 2

Lauren Graham continues to be the perfect TV mom, finding that balance between “responsible adult” and “approachable friend” that makes her a great coach to the kids. This season gives her even more to work with by setting her up against Josh Duhamel’s Coach Cole. Coach Cole is the antithesis of Coach Alex; he’s all about piling on the pressure to build skills and take the kids to new heights. It’s fun to watch the two of them butt heads and ultimately begin to see the value in one another’s approaches.

All in all, Mighty Ducks: Game Changers season 2 is just a good time. The elite summer camp approach adds a lot of new and interesting conflict for our favorite team, and the characters are as loveable as ever. This one is definitely a win for fans and Disney+.

Season 2 of Mighty Ducks: Game Changers premieres on Disney+ September 28. You can stream the first season now.