In Chicago, Illinois, reporters surround Chicago Eagles hockey player Bobby “The Hornet” Barbato in the locker room. It is his first game back from a leg injury, and he is confident that his team will make the championship playoffs. While walking to his car in the empty parking lot, Bobby is approached by young Louis DeLeon, who needs bus fare. Members of Louis’s gang attempt to steal Bobby’s car, but he scares them off, and threatens to takes Louis to the police station. When the boy refuses to go quietly, Bobby returns him to his apartment. Louis’s mother, Denise DeLeon, is out to dinner with a boyfriend, Jerry Pepper, and hired a caretaker to look after Louis, according to a note that the boy tries to swallow. Bobby demands Jerry’s telephone number, but when Louis shows him marketing materials for Jerry’s travel agency plastered with his contact information, Bobby changes his mind. He leaves his name and telephone number with Louis, and orders the boy to have his mother call or he will contact police. Louis complains that he is hungry, and Bobby takes him to a restaurant, where he is appalled by the boy’s rudeness and bad table manners. When they return to Louis’s apartment, Denise demands to know where her son has been, and why Bobby is with him. Denise sends her son to his room, and apologizes to Bobby for his behavior. Bobby returns to his car to find it vandalized. Later, the gang from the stadium sneaks into Louis’s bedroom, demanding to know if he revealed their identities to Bobby. They beat Louis even though he did not betray them. Denise tries to intervene, and Lupo, the leader, pushes her onto the bed and kisses her hard before exiting. Traumatized by the event, Denise sends Louis to live in the suburbs with her cousins Dee Dee and Lester, whom he dislikes. She also visits Bobby to warn him that Lupo wants revenge. Denise offers to take him to dinner, and they set a date for Friday night. Denise picks an elegant restaurant, where the salad is the most reasonable item on the menu. Bobby suggests a modest Chinese restaurant, and after dinner, they make love in his apartment. In the morning, however, Bobby explains that he is not ready for a committed relationship. Denise’s feelings are hurt and she leaves. Louis runs away from his cousins’ home and takes a commuter train back to Bobby’s apartment. The hockey player makes him breakfast, but soon becomes impatient with the boy’s rudeness. Louis apologizes and is allowed to sleep on the couch. Denise arrives to collect her son, and Bobby drives them to Dee Dee and Lester’s home. Their teenaged daughter, Courtney, recognizes Bobby and insists that he stay for her birthday party. Bobby watches Louis having fun, dancing with Courtney and her friends. Louis gets sick on party food and vomits on an expensive sofa. Cousin Lester loses his composure and complains that Louis is a delinquent in dire need of discipline. Bobby tells Lester there is no need to be harsh, and offers to pay for the sofa. Bobby drives Denise and Louis home, but leaves without kissing her. Later, Bobby visits Denise at work and offers her a loan to open the personnel agency she has dreamed of starting, but she will not accept his money. Bobby explains that this is all he is able to give. He feels Denise is not ready for a meaningful relationship because she struggles with her career, her finances, her social life, and her emotions. Also, she is unorganized, unreliable, has lost control of her son, and is not a hockey fan. She responds by telling Bobby that when his career is over, he will have neither the experience nor the maturity to continue with the rest of his life. While Bobby and his teammates travel to a game in Minnesota, Louis stows away on the team bus. Bobby notifies Denise, promising to send the boy home with an escort. Louis hints that he would like to see the game, and asks about Bobby’s relationship with Denise. Bobby admonishes the boy on delving into Denise’s personal life, but Louis is simply trying to protect her. During the game, Bobby is sent to the penalty box, and observes Louis in a fistfight with fans of the opposing team. Afterward, Bobby tells Louis that he has a lot of heart. Denise decides to fly to Minnesota to be with her son and Bobby. Before she can leave town, however, Lupo attacks her. Bobby gets the news from cousin Dee Dee, who flies to Minnesota to take Louis home. Louis learns about his mother’s “accident,” and is angry when Bobby does not return to Chicago immediately. However, Bobby decides not to travel with the team for a game in Los Angeles, California. His coach threatens to fine him, and Bobby promises to take a later flight. At the hospital, Louis is horrified by his mother’s condition and vows to kill Lupo. Cousin Courtney encounters Bobby at the reception desk and informs him of Louis’s intentions. Bobby catches up with Louis and they chase Lupo to the waterfront. Bobby tackles Lupo by the water’s edge, and allows Louis a few minutes to pummel his enemy. Louis hugs Bobby as patrol cars arrive. After Denise recovers, Louis tells his mother he has a surprise. They take a taxicab to a storefront with signage that reads “DeLeon Personnel Agency.” Bobby offers her a fifty-fifty partnership. When Denise repeats that she cannot accept his generosity, he says she is afraid to take chances, and reminds her that he will not always be a hockey player. He gathers her in his arms and they kiss. Meanwhile, Louis is impressed with the pens, rulers, saltshakers and calendars imprinted with the DeLeon name and address. Bobby hints that Louis should leave. Louis retorts that he is the good luck charm that enabled Bobby’s team to make the playoffs. Bobby urges Louis to get him to the playoffs again next year.