Wikipedia

Hanson Brothers

This article is about characters from the 1977 movieSlap Shot.For the late-1990s band, seeHanson (band).For theNomeansnoside project, seeThe Hanson Brothers (band).

TheHanson Brothersare a fictional trio of siblings who played for the fictionalminor leagueice hockeyteam theCharlestown Chiefsin the 1977 movieSlap Shotand its two sequels.[1]The characters –Dave,Steve,andJeff Hanson– were based on real-life siblingsJack,Steve,andJeffCarlson, who played for the 1974-75Johnstown Jetsin theNorth American Hockey League.CharactersSteveandJeff Hansonwere portrayed by their real-life namesakes,SteveandJeffCarlson.Jack Carlsonwas unavailable at the time of filming, so the role ofDave Hansonwas portrayed by fellowJohnstown JetsteammateDavid Hanson.David Hansonwas himself the inspiration for another character in the movie,Dave "Killer" Carlson,who was portrayed byJerry Houser.[2]The original screenplay was written byNancy Dowd,sister ofJohnstown JetsteammateNed Dowd,who also appeared in the movie as the characterOgie Ogelthorpe.[3]

Hanson Brothers
Slap Shotcharacters
Created byNancy Dowd
TeamCharlestown Chiefs
League
  • Federal League
  • Iron League
Based onCarlson Brothers
OccupationIce hockey players
Dave
Portrayed by
Age19
Number#16
Based onJack Carlson
Full nameDave Hanson
PositionLeft wing
Steve
Portrayed by
Age20
Number#17
Based onSteve Carlson
Full nameSteve Hanson
PositionCentre
Jeff
Portrayed by
Age18
Number#18
Based onJeff Carlson
Full nameJeff Hanson
PositionRight wing

The movie is anR-ratedcomedy starringPaul Newmanasplayer-coachReggie Dunlop.It follows the strugglingCharlestown Chiefsin what is rumoured (and later confirmed) to be the team's last season, due to low ticket sales.[4]TheHansonsare 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 forbrawling.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 theirviolent playing style.[2][7]

Public appearances

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The idea of aHanson Brothersreunion was first pitched toSteve Carlsonin 1993 as a way to increase ticket sales for theMemphis Riverkings,aCentral Hockey Leagueteam that he was then the coach of. The arena sold out. A few weeks later, they held a second reunion at a home game for theAHLCapital District IslanderswhereDave Hansonwas the general manager. That event sold out too.[8]Sixteen years after the film's release,the Hansonsbegan appearing in character at charity and promotional events at arenas throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.[2]At their peak, they were making about 90 appearances per year and had a sponsorship deal withBudweiser.[1][9]

Screenplay writerNancy Dowdhas been critical of the appearances, claiming they diminished the value ofSlap Shotand violated her author's rights.[1]

Cultural legacy

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Steve Carlson #17
@Hanson_Brothers

It has been brought to our attention that the broken cd of #SlapShot was found at the wreck of the #HumboltStrong team bus. We wish "putting on the foil or" buying a soda after the game "could help but instead we will reflect and pray God gives peace and comfort during this time.

9 April 2018[10]

The Hansons(andSlap Shot) have an enduring cultural following. They receive more than 300 requests per year to make appearances.[8]The film is standard viewing for youngice hockeyplayers on road trips, includingChristian Hanson,son ofDavid Hanson,who saw the film for the first time when he was 11 years old during a hockey road trip with his team.[11]After theHumboldt Broncos bus crashin 2018, a brokenSlap ShotDVD was found at the crash site.[12][13]Steve Carlsonmet with some of the survivors.[14][15]

Trivia

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  • TheCleveland Monstersof theAmerican Hockey Leagueemploy a trio of Hanson lookalikes known as the Mullet Brothers, who sport long black hair and black-rimmed glasses. The "brothers" shovel snow out of the net area during breaks in full uniform and pads.[11]
  • Extreme Championship WrestlingcharactersThe Dudley Brotherswere based on the Hanson brothers. Two members of this stable,Bubba Ray&D-Von,would later shed the comedic elements of the gimmick and go on to become theDudley Boyztag team.
  • At the June 2011NHL Awards,the Hanson Brothers appeared in a spoof sketch based on the television seriesPawn Stars,in which they try to sell theStanley Cupto proprietor Rick Harrison at his pawn shop.[16]
  • In 2015 the Hanson Brothers were inducted into theFictitious Athlete Hall of Fame.[17]
  • In addition to the original film,Slap Shot(1977), all three actors reprised their roles as the Hanson Brothers in two sequels,Slap Shot 2(2002) andSlap Shot 3(2008).
  • A trio of hockey players all named Jim inShoresyare based on the Hanson Brothers.

References

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  1. ^abcHamill, Sean D. (11 April 2010)."A Dispute Over the Icons of 'Slap Shot'".New York Times.Retrieved16 July2024.
  2. ^abcMastovich, Mike (7 December 2020)."'Hockey family' comes through for Hanson Brother ".The Tribune-Democrat.Retrieved15 July2024.
  3. ^Klemesrud, Judy (3 March 1977)."Author Says Her 'Slap Shot' Talk Is Realistic"(PDF).The New York Times.Retrieved15 July2024.
  4. ^Canby, Vincent (26 February 1977)."Hot Time on Ice, Newman's 'Slap Shot'"(PDF).New York Times.New York Times.Retrieved16 July2024.
  5. ^"Carlson Brothers".vintagemnhockey.com.Retrieved17 July2024.
  6. ^"Slap Shot Quotes".imdb.com.Retrieved20 July2024.
  7. ^"Minnesota Hockey & Hollywood".vintagemnhockey.com.Retrieved17 July2024.
  8. ^abRoarke, Shawn P. (26 February 2017)."40 years later, Hanson Brother embraces 'Slap Shot'".nhl.com.National Hockey League.Retrieved16 July2024.
  9. ^Proteau, Adam (14 December 2023)."Slap Shot's Hanson Bros. Made Fans Everywhere They Went".The Hockey News.Roustan Media.Retrieved16 July2024.
  10. ^Steve Carlson #17 [@Hanson_Brothers] (9 April 2018)."It has been brought to our attention that the broken cd of #SlapShot was found at the wreck of the #HumboltStrong team bus. We wish" putting on the foil or "buying a soda after the game" could help but instead we will reflect and pray God gives peace and comfort during this time "(Tweet) – viaTwitter.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^abWarsinskey, Tim (2 October 2014)."'Slap Shot' movie descendant Christian Hanson loses role with Lake Erie Monsters ".cleveland.com.Advance Local Media.Retrieved22 July2024.
  12. ^Slingerland, Calum (8 April 2018)."'Slap Shot' Stars the Hanson Brothers Pay Tribute to Humboldt Broncos Bus Crash Victims ".exclaim.ca.Exclaim!.Retrieved22 July2024.
  13. ^"What was left behind: Photos of the Humboldt crash scene".CBC News.CBC/Radio-Canada. 11 April 2018.Retrieved22 July2024.
  14. ^Chidley-Hill, John (20 February 2019)."Bespectacled Hanson brothers still popular decades after 'Slap Shot'".CTV News.Canadian Press.Retrieved22 July2024.
  15. ^"Hanson Brothers honour Humboldt Broncos after seeing shattered 'Slapshot' DVD".Global News.Canadian Press. 9 April 2018.Retrieved22 July2024.
  16. ^"Bruins Highlights From the NHL Awards"Archived2013-11-28 at theWayback Machine.Boston Bruins.Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  17. ^Wallace, Fred (January 4, 2016)."Hansons Headline Hall Inductees".Bayshore Broadcasting.Archived fromthe originalon October 25, 2016.RetrievedOctober 25,2016.

Further reading

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  • Hanson, Dave; Bernstein, Ross (2013).Slap shot original: the man, the foil, and the legend.Chicago, Illinois: Triumph Books.ISBN978-1-60078-875-8.
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