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Slap Shot Original: The Man, the Foil, and the Legend
More than 30 years after its cinematic debut, Slap Shot remains one of the most popular sports movies of all time, and this book is actor Dave Hanson’s firsthand account of its making. Starring the legendary Paul Newman, the movie was based on the hilarious and outrageous antics of the fictitious Charlestown Chiefs, a tough-as-nails minor league hockey team in the early 1970s. In financial trouble and due to fold at the end of the season, they bring in the Hanson Brothers—three of the toughest hockey players around—in a desperate bid to sell tickets. What ensues is pure comic genius. Here, Dave Hanson—who played ringleader Jack Hanson in the film—not only opens the vault and dishes the dirt on the making of the movie, from the bench-clearing brawls and the practical jokes on set to the legendary partying that went on during filming, but also explores how the movie changed his and many of the cast and crew’s lives forever.
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 4, 2011
The movie "Slapshot" (1977) has a cult following among many guys. The characters called "The Hanson Brothers" were in fact based on the real life Carlson Brothers and Dave "Killer" Hanson in minor league hockey. The first half of this book is interesting, as Dave recounts his youth growing up in Wisconsin and Minnesota. His description of the many mentors he had along the way are reminiscent of another time in sports. These kids played pickup hockey outside, on fields they built and flooded, and they played all the time, mornings, after school and weekends. There was a box of mismatched skates they could use if they didn't have their own, and many did not. The passage Dave describes when he duct-taped phone books to his shins to act as pads reinforces this scrappy image of kids making do with what they have. And they had fun. There was no complaining and whining that they didn't have the newest or best equipment. Parents were strictly onlookers and didn't get involved in the game or with the coaches.
Dave clearly loves hockey and most of the book recounts actual games and the brawling fights that had come to symbolize hockey in the 1960's and 1970's. They were crazy! He is a true believer that the fighting was necessary and that the brawlers in the corners allowed the finesse guys the opportunity to score. Certainly the movie "Slapshot" captured this style of hockey in its essence and is why it is considered one of the best sports movies ever made.
The popularity of the movie over time was something that surprised Hanson and the Carlsons. They ultimately used that popularity for public appearances that raised millions of dollars for various charitites and they are to be commended for that.
Would recommend this to any "Slapshot" fan and for those interested in the WHL and minor league hockey 20 years ago...
Dave clearly loves hockey and most of the book recounts actual games and the brawling fights that had come to symbolize hockey in the 1960's and 1970's. They were crazy! He is a true believer that the fighting was necessary and that the brawlers in the corners allowed the finesse guys the opportunity to score. Certainly the movie "Slapshot" captured this style of hockey in its essence and is why it is considered one of the best sports movies ever made.
The popularity of the movie over time was something that surprised Hanson and the Carlsons. They ultimately used that popularity for public appearances that raised millions of dollars for various charitites and they are to be commended for that.
Would recommend this to any "Slapshot" fan and for those interested in the WHL and minor league hockey 20 years ago...
January 8, 2009
A rather pedestrian memoir from someone who overestimates his fame in the hockey world. Most interesting for the all-too-brief glimpse into the backstage shenanigans of the movie "Slap Shot." Otherwise, not a whole lot to recommend it above any other pulpy recollections from other athletes. The self-aggrandizing quotes from outside sources get annoying quickly.
January 12, 2023
We know that the humorous Slap Shot movie was a crazy satire poking us to laugh at the rough and tough world of minor league hockey in the U.S. during the 1970’s. Despite its zany satire, the movie developed a serious following of fans because, in addition to box office magnet, Paul Newman, the movie accidentally captured the thorny realities in the ‘under belly of the NHL: strife and struggle in the small towns who host minor league hockey teams
But Dave Hanson’s written tale does not deal with the movie’s satire. Rather it deals the crazy humor among the players on and off the ice as well as the antics of the movie crew and actors on and off the set.
Rather than recounting both the hilarious and the devastating incidents Hanson lived as a hockey goon, suffice it to say that Dave was a survivor. He was bounced around the country due either to a coach’s personality or an owner’s financial problems. Despite Dave’s ability to fit in with a new team of players, he was always at the mercy of those in power over him. However, an exception to these pinball moves, he was saved by the famed player-coach Glen Sonmor. Glen coached Dave as a youngster and later on found ways to bring him to the NHL’s North Star team in his home state of Minnesota. Both Glen and Dave revered the power of fists, muscle and intimidation on the ice and bonded a friendship based on it. Also, Minnesota Gopher coach, Doug Woog knew Dave’s exceptional skills as a prep star at St Paul Humboldt High and brought him into the Gopher lineup. But in the minors and big leagues, tough guys like Dave were plentiful, and so he bounced up and down between these leagues all the while looking for a home where he could find security for his young family.
In his waning years on the ice, he turned to coaching. Here he found the same fickle life due to the same powers that infected his playing years: the owners’ finances or lack thereof. During these transitional years, Dave Hanson and his two Slap Shot movie brothers, the Carlsons who were known for their “old time hockey” rally cry were asked to appear at charity fund raising events. Their former fame as reignited. The fans cry came to Universal Motion Pictures to make “Slap Shot 2.” And so they did, albeit as more ‘mature’ hockey players. Profits followed their renewed fame. And now, Dave was able to glide into financial security through public appearances and re-enactments of the Carlson brothers zany antics.
The book’s auto-biography ends with testimonials about Dave Hanson by former coaches and fellow players with whom he bonded and be-friended throughout his 20 years as a pro. It’s a great story of true grit.
But Dave Hanson’s written tale does not deal with the movie’s satire. Rather it deals the crazy humor among the players on and off the ice as well as the antics of the movie crew and actors on and off the set.
Rather than recounting both the hilarious and the devastating incidents Hanson lived as a hockey goon, suffice it to say that Dave was a survivor. He was bounced around the country due either to a coach’s personality or an owner’s financial problems. Despite Dave’s ability to fit in with a new team of players, he was always at the mercy of those in power over him. However, an exception to these pinball moves, he was saved by the famed player-coach Glen Sonmor. Glen coached Dave as a youngster and later on found ways to bring him to the NHL’s North Star team in his home state of Minnesota. Both Glen and Dave revered the power of fists, muscle and intimidation on the ice and bonded a friendship based on it. Also, Minnesota Gopher coach, Doug Woog knew Dave’s exceptional skills as a prep star at St Paul Humboldt High and brought him into the Gopher lineup. But in the minors and big leagues, tough guys like Dave were plentiful, and so he bounced up and down between these leagues all the while looking for a home where he could find security for his young family.
In his waning years on the ice, he turned to coaching. Here he found the same fickle life due to the same powers that infected his playing years: the owners’ finances or lack thereof. During these transitional years, Dave Hanson and his two Slap Shot movie brothers, the Carlsons who were known for their “old time hockey” rally cry were asked to appear at charity fund raising events. Their former fame as reignited. The fans cry came to Universal Motion Pictures to make “Slap Shot 2.” And so they did, albeit as more ‘mature’ hockey players. Profits followed their renewed fame. And now, Dave was able to glide into financial security through public appearances and re-enactments of the Carlson brothers zany antics.
The book’s auto-biography ends with testimonials about Dave Hanson by former coaches and fellow players with whom he bonded and be-friended throughout his 20 years as a pro. It’s a great story of true grit.
April 12, 2025
Slap Shot is a cult movie, and having one of the prominent players involved write his memoirs about it and his career in general makes for a good read! You knew that there was something special about one of hockey's beloved movies, but Dave Hanson really brought the behind-the-scenes aspects to a more vivid picture.
My only criticism is that there are quite a few typos involved, which feels a bit amateur.
My only criticism is that there are quite a few typos involved, which feels a bit amateur.
January 20, 2020
If you're a Johnstowner this book is a must for your local interest library. Tons of great stories of the filming of Slap Shot plus many great stories of Dave's hockey career as a player, coach and GM.
July 26, 2011
If you get rid of the two chapters of tesitmonials that essentially say the same thing, this is a wonderful book. I really enjoyed the chapter that described the "Slap Shot" filming and the behind the scenes look at Hanson and his two "brothers", their relationship with the late Paul Newman and practical jokes they pulled on the cast and crew.
I also enjoyed the biographical section on Dave Hanson that showed how the art of the movie imitated his real life and years of hitting the minor league hockey circuits, the WHA and his two brief stints as a real NHL enforcer.
I am forever a fan of the movie "Slap Shot" and anyone who hasn't seen the classic hockey film needs to see the movie BEFORE they read Hanson's book. You'll see a hilarious film that reflected the life and times of minor league hockey first, then read how close to the truth "Slap Shot" was -- as seen by a player, coach, parent and an extremely generous person.
I also enjoyed the biographical section on Dave Hanson that showed how the art of the movie imitated his real life and years of hitting the minor league hockey circuits, the WHA and his two brief stints as a real NHL enforcer.
I am forever a fan of the movie "Slap Shot" and anyone who hasn't seen the classic hockey film needs to see the movie BEFORE they read Hanson's book. You'll see a hilarious film that reflected the life and times of minor league hockey first, then read how close to the truth "Slap Shot" was -- as seen by a player, coach, parent and an extremely generous person.
April 22, 2014
writing style was less than perfect but the story after story, prank after prank kept me entertained. some of the stories are retold a few times - I found it repetitive. Book put me in the position of trying to terms with how fighting makes you a stand up guy. People say you need the fighting to regulate the game, but I think people just like to see fights. if you want to take a view into 1970s hockey, pick up this book and enjoy. this is definitely not an ideal selection for you Mom's book club.
July 11, 2013
Behind the scenes of "Slap Shot," awesome right there, plus the crazy mobile life of a dedicated yet marginal professional athlete, quite a story. How much would you go through for one NHL goal? Maybe this!
May 21, 2009
An enjoyable, if unspectacular autobiography of one third of the legendary Hanson Brothers trio. This is an easy-to-read summer book.
August 10, 2009
Great stories of minor league hockey. A lot of stuff in the movie "Slap Shot" really happened.
January 20, 2014
If you are a hockey fan and/or live to quote this movie, this is for you!
January 22, 2015
This was a great book for a hockey fan.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews