The Hanson Brothers are a fictional trio of siblings who played for the fictional minor leagueice hockey team the Charlestown Chiefs in the 1977 movie Slap Shot and its two sequels.[1] The characters – Dave, Steve, and Jeff Hanson – were based on real-life siblings Jack, Steve, and Jeff Carlson, who played for the 1974-75 Johnstown Jets in the North American Hockey League. Characters Steve and Jeff Hanson were portrayed by their real-life namesakes, Steve and Jeff Carlson. Jack Carlson was unavailable at the time of filming, so the role of Dave Hanson was portrayed by fellow Johnstown Jets teammate David Hanson. David Hanson was himself the inspiration for another character in the movie, Dave "Killer" Carlson, who was portrayed by Jerry Houser.[2] The original screenplay was written by Nancy Dowd, sister of Johnstown Jets teammate Ned Dowd, who also appeared in the movie as the character Ogie Ogelthorpe.[3]
The movie is an R-rated comedy starring Paul Newman as player-coachReggie Dunlop. It follows the struggling Charlestown Chiefs in what is rumoured (and later confirmed) to be the team's last season, due to low ticket sales.[4] The Hansons are a mid-season cut-rate acquisition by the team's general manager, Joe McGrath.[5] They are initially looked at with scorn by their teammates and coach, due to their childlike immaturity, thick black-rimmed glasses, and propensity for brawling. Team captain, Johnny Upton, sarcastically mused, "Jesus, what did the old man trade for these assholes, a used puck bag?"[6] The brothers eventually prove their worth and generate a renewed enthusiasm with their violent playing style.[2][7]