Games · 1987 · sports video game

Blades of Steel

Blades of Steel thrusts players into the heart of 1980s North American hockey, where fictional teams from real cities battle for supremacy. The action is fierce, with hard checks, breakaway goals, and infamous on-ice fights that can turn the tide of a game. Each team is a tight-knit unit of three forwards, two defensemen, and a goaltender, all striving for glory across Junior, College, and Pro leagues. Beneath the roar of the crowd, personal rivalries and alliances simmer, making every match a test of loyalty, ambition, and grit.

Unofficial fan work — not affiliated with the rights holders.

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Five paths

Draft Days
How the players found their teams and what they left behind.
Locker Room Pacts
Bonds, betrayals, and secrets forged off the ice.
Blood on the Ice
Rivalries, grudges, and the cost of victory.
Arenas
Iconic rinks and the cities that shape their teams.
Legendary Sticks
Game-changing gear, trophies, and the legends behind them.

Principal faces

How they stand to one another

Jack Maddox

Lead

A tall, broad-shouldered adult male in his mid-20s, Jack has a chiseled jaw, short sandy blond hair always tousled from his helmet, and piercing blue eyes. His hockey uniform is crisp, bearing the bold colors of his team, with a captain's 'C' stitched on the chest. His posture is confident, almost defiant, and he carries the scars of countless games.

Driven, fiercely competitive, but loyal to his teammates. Team captain; close to Riley and Sam; rivalry with Viktor; guided by Coach O'Rourke.

Riley Chen

Ally

An athletic adult woman, early 20s, with jet-black hair pulled into a tight ponytail and sharp, determined brown eyes. Riley's build is lean and agile, her uniform sleeves rolled for mobility. She wears a lucky red wristband and her skates are scuffed from relentless practice.

Quick-witted, supportive, and unafraid to challenge authority. Jack's closest confidante; often bridges tension between teammates.

Samuel 'Sam' Hart

Heart

A stocky adult male, late 20s, with a kind, open face, short curly brown hair, and a wide, infectious grin. His uniform is slightly worn, and he wears a faded blue scarf under his gear for luck. His eyes reflect both joy and the weight of past losses.

Warm-hearted, optimistic, and the emotional glue of the team. Jack's oldest friend; keeps the team grounded.

Viktor Ivanov

Rival

A tall, imposing adult male, early 30s, with a square jaw, slicked-back black hair, and cold gray eyes. Viktor's uniform is darker, with silver accents and a rival team's crest. His expression is stern, almost unreadable, and he carries himself with military precision.

Disciplined, ambitious, and relentless in pursuit of victory. Jack's chief rival; respected and feared by many.

Coach O'Rourke

Witness

A weathered adult male in his 50s, with graying hair under a battered team cap and a lined, thoughtful face. He wears a heavy wool coat over his tracksuit and carries a clipboard marked with decades of notes. His posture is stoic, always watching, rarely intervening.

Wise, reserved, and deeply invested in his players' growth. Mentor to Jack and the team; knows every secret of the rink.

Visual language

Painterly illustrations echoing late-80s sports game box art: bold, kinetic poses; cold arena lighting; period-accurate hockey gear and uniforms; muted, wintry palettes with pops of team color; textured to evoke cloth and printed paper.

Arena spotlights, cold rink reflections, and dramatic shadows. Painterly illustration, cloth, paper.