I Know Nothing – Slapshot in the face! – Hanson Brothers Edition

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By Southside Shultzie   March 14, 2010

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I’m pretty sure that ALL of you have seen the movie about a hockey team from Johnstown that leaves their home city for the east coast?  Before I go on I want you all to go grab a box of tissues because this one is sad!  In a true case of art imitating life, the Johnstown Chiefs are leaving Johnstown!  Barring a miracle that includes procuring new ownership, the team will be moved to Greenville, South Carolina after this season.  The Johnstown War Memorial might also go to the wayside since there would be no major tenant.  Since 1941 professional hockey has been played in Johnstown.  Teams that have called the Johnstown War Memorial home include the Bluebirds, Jets, and of course the Chiefs.

 A hockey fan by the name of Nancy Dowd wrote Slap Shot.  When it came time to cast players Nancy suggested that director, George Roy Hill, give the Carlson Brothers and Davey Hanson a chance to play themselves.  The filming was to take place in the off season, but Jack Carlson got called up because Edmonton made the playoffs. Davey Hanson took Jack’s place and Jerry Houser was cast to play Dave’s original role, “Dave ‘Killer’ Carlson.”

 The guys went on to have fairly successful hockey careers though they say that they played for the love of the game and not the love of money. The guys professed that they were so broke that their pre-game meal consisted of beef jerky and that stinkin’ root beer.

 

 (Jeff – 11 years, Steve – 14 years, Dave – 10 years, and Jack – 12 years).

 

The Hanson Brothers have appeared before millions of fans in venues all over North America. Jeff, Steve, and Dave have helped to raise more than twelve million dollars for charity and counting!

 

Considering the above, maybe there is someone out there with the loot and the heart to buy the Chiefs and save the day (and hockey nights) in Johnstown?

 

 Top Row: Guido Tenesi, David Birch, Steve Carlson, Jeff Carlson, Francois Ouimet, Billy Reed, Jean Tetreault
Middle Row: Ed Neisner, Vern Campigotto, Bruce Boudreau, Reggie Bechtold, Henry Taylor, Wynne Dempster,
Bottom Row: Louie Levasseur, Galen Head, Dave Hanson, John Mitchell, Jim Cardiff, John Gofton, Ron Docken

Cottoncandyhere writes…Dear Shultzie, There is a very old couple who sits next to us at the arena.  They have season tickets as do we.  That said, is it OK to scare them by abruptly yelling hoping that they have heart attacks and die so that my  friends can buy up their season tickets?  Yes if you are bigger than them!