Slap Shot Original: The Man, the Foil, and the Legend [Hardcover]

Dave Hanson (Author), Ross Bernstein (Author), Bob Costas (Foreword), Gordie Howe (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2008

Thirty years after its cinematic debut, "Slap Shot" remains one of the most popular sports movies of all time - in 2007 "GQ Magazine" named it 'the best sports movie of the past 50 years.'Starring the legendary Paul Newman, the movie was based on the hilarious and outrageous antics of the fictitious Charlestown Chiefs, as 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.Now for the first time, 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 bench-clearing brawls, to practical jokes on set, to the legendary partying that went on after the director yelled 'Cut!,' but also how the movie changed his, and many of the cast and crews lives forever.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"They were very professional, and they were completely crazy. We drank a lot of beer."
--Paul Newman, on filming Slap Shot with "Hanson Brothers" Dave Hanson, Jeff Carlson, and Steve Carlson

"It's been a long stretch of ice time, and between shifts Dave Hanson has managed to produce a loving and laugh-filled remembrance."
--Bob Costas, from the foreword

"Dave has a real passion for the game, and I am happy that he is able to celebrate that passion in his new book."
--Gordie Howe, from the foreword

From the Inside Flap

Ranked as one of the greatest sports movies of all time, Slap Shot exposed the rough-and-tumble world of minor-league hockey in hilarious fashion. Nobody involved with the picture had any idea that the exploits of the fictional Charlestown Chiefs would still delight fans three decades after the film's release.

Even though the movie featured Paul Newman in a memorable role, the real stars of Slap Shot were a trio of loveable long-haired goons with taped-up glasses: the Hanson Brothers, played by real-life hockey players Dave Hanson, Steve Carlson, and Jeff Carlson. Few fans realize that many of the characters and events in the movie were based on the actual experiences of Dave, Steve, and Jeff while they played for the Johnstown Jets.

Now, in this highly anticipated autobiography, Dave Hanson offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of an iconic movie as well a peek at the crazy world of hockey in the 1970s. Slap Shot fans will love Hanson's hilarious stories from the movie set--starting with Paul Newman showing up unannounced at his front door to "see what a hockey player's apartment looks like"--recalling everything from filming memorable scenes to pulling endless practical jokes to drinking large amounts of beer. More fun was had behind the scenes than on the screen!

Yet this book explores a lot more than the making of a movie. Hanson's tale is also one of chasing a dream and discovering the important things in life, while also having a lot of fun. A master storyteller, Hanson never fails to entertain, starting with tales of growing up in a tough neighborhood and discovering hockey, which gave him a much-needed sense of direction that took him to the University of Minnesota and beyond in a quest to make it to the NHL. Hanson finally made it to the game's top tier, playing for the Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota North Stars, but his journey gave him so much more: a great family, friends, and experiences that will make you laugh and touch your heart.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Triumph Books; 1St Edition edition (October 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600781152
• ISBN-13: 978-1600781155
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #402,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Daves' A Killer, author that is!, October 4, 2008

By 

Melvin Gold "Movie Mel" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Slap Shot Original: The Man, the Foil, and the Legend (Hardcover)

I have read many literature articles over the years and this I must say ranks as the best ever. Mr. Dave "Killer" Hanson has written a very poignant story about his life and a movie that is the best sports movie to date. The violent battles and off ice shenanigans are extraordinarily told by the man who did them and a movie deal about this book is certainly forthcoming. I can truthfully say buy this book and you won't be disappointed. Dave you are a "Killer!"

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CURSES!!! ''F0lLED'' AGAlN!!!, November 18, 2008

By 

Smegma Cheese (l got a hundred guns, a hundred clips 'coz l'm from New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Slap Shot Original: The Man, the Foil, and the Legend (Hardcover)

Dave shoots and scores with this whimsical tale of how he accidently became a movie star. 0ne day he's toiling in the rough and tumble world of hockey's minor leagues hoping to be discovered by an NHL scout. lnstead he's discovered by a talent scout and the next thing he knows, he's hanging out with Cool Hand Luke.

While the movie toiled in obscurity, Dave was making a name for himself in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings and the Minnesota North Stars. Then ''Slapshot'' started to get new life breathed into it, and Dave and his fellow Hanson Brothers became cult figures.

Even though Dave's NHL career ended, his other hockey career took off and he has everyone putting on the foils.

You'll (Eddie) surely love this book. 0therwise, you'll feel shame.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful insight., February 12, 2010

By 

John Leak - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Slap Shot Original: The Man, the Foil, and the Legend (Hardcover)

I bought the book because it was by one of the "Hanson" brothers. It gave me more insight into one of the "men behind the foil." After reading the book I gained new found knowledge into the Johnstown Jets and more into the "Charlestown Chiefs." I knew that Nancy Dowd wrote the screenplay for the movie "Slapshot" and that her brother Ned played "Oggie Ogelthorpe" but I never knew that Ned actually played hockey. This book is a must for any fan of the movie "Slapshot."