How Does It Feel ?

I just finished "Slap Shot Original: The Man, The Foil, The Legend" by Dave Hanson (#16).

a well written, laugh filled autobiograhy of one of the famed hockey players, who appeared in the greatest sports movie of all time (fact) Slap Shot, as one of the Hanson Brothers.  As the story goes, Steve and Jeff Carlson were Johnstown Jets, of which the fictional Charlestown Chiefs were based off of (11 Jets appeared in the movie) their brother Jack, was called up to play with the Edmonton Oilers.

Dave Hanson (who was also a Johnstown Jet, and played for such teams as Rhode Island Reds, Minnesota Fighting Saints, Detroit Red Wings, New England Whalers, Kansas City Red Wings, Birmingham Bulls, Hampton Gulls, Toledo Goaldiggers, Indianapolis Checkers, Minnesota North Stars, Adirondack Red Wings and Oklahoma City Stars) was adopted into their line as Jack Hanson, meanwhile, Dave "Killer" Hanson real life persona was changed into Dave "Killer" Carlson played by Jerry Houser.  anyways they made a funny fuckin movie.

anyways, as i was poking around online to see if Hanson was doing any book signings in the area or if the Hanson Brothers were making any appearances in the area, no such luck, but i did find Dave Hanson's email, right on the website for his book.

i emailed him this morning.
He actually responded back.
how awesome is that !?!?!


On Tue, Jan 6, 2009 at 12:16 PM, Centanni, Joseph R. <CENTANJR@sbu.edu> wrote:

Mr. Hanson,

Greetings, Joe Centanni, 21, Rochester NY. I had $25 to spend at a bookstore and i was hardly in the store 30 seconds when i saw your book from the door. Just finished reading it, fantastic book. It is wonderful book and you should be proud. It is no surprise to me that the Hansons and Slap Shot mean so much to so many people. I was 10 (probably way too young) when i saw the movie and was floored and it remains my favorite movie.  my dad, who had season tickets for the Rochester Americans in 72-73 said that the movie wasnt that far from how those rough Amerk teams played, with monsters like Bob "Battleship" Kelly and John Wensink, the games always had a "carnival like atmosphere" and the old Rochester War Memorial was always packed.  I was surprised the NHL didnt want you guys to appear at the 97 ASG. you guys are Mickey Mouse or Superman to hockey fans. no matter what age, gender, race or background, there truly is a sense of awe to you guys and i hope you make it up to Rochester or Buffalo for an appearance sometime. I proudly wear my Chiefs jersey to any Sabres/Amerks or St. Bonaventure University hockey game i go to. not a game goes by without seeing another fan with a Chiefs jersey or someone saying "awesome jersey" or have someone start trading lines back and forth with me. the movie is a timeless classic. got anymore interesting stories involving either Rochester or Buffalo ?? (my dad actually remembered the Jim Pettie fight!)

Joe Centanni
Rochester NY