Steve Carlson

Accomplishments

• Member of the Johnstown Jets’ 1974-75 North American Hockey League Lockhart Cup championship team that inspired the 1977 Paul Newman movie “Slap Shot.”
• Carlson and his brothers, Jeff and Jack, were the basis for the Hanson Brothers in the movie that was filmed at the War Memorial and throughout Johnstown in 1976.
• Steve Carlson, Jeff Carlson and Dave Hanson portrayed the Hanson Brothers in the movie “Slap Shot” and reprised their roles during on-ice appearances, charity events and even a series of Bud Ice commercials for more than 30 years. Also appeared in two “Slap Shot” movie sequels as the Hanson Brothers.
• Steve Carlson coached the Johnstown Chiefs in the East Coast Hockey League from 1988-92, and the Memphis RiverKings in the Central Hockey League in 1992-93.
• His Johnstown Chiefs produced a 123-105-20 record during four regular-seasons in the East Coast Hockey League.
• Led the Johnstown Chiefs to the ECHL championship round in 1989, and his teams won playoff series in 1991 and 1992.
• As a skater who could score points and play tough, Carlson advanced to the National Hockey League, playing 52 NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings in 1979-80.
• He also played 173 games in the World Hockey Association (WHA), when that league rivaled the NHL.
• Collected 33 goals and 80 points in the WHA playing for the New England Whalers, Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Fighting Saints.
• With Edmonton, Carlson roomed with a young Wayne Gretzky, early in the career of the prolific goal-scorer known as The Great One.
• In the WHA, Carlson skated alongside two legends — a young Wayne Gretzky and a veteran Gordie Howe.
• Joined his brother Jeff and Dave Hanson to play an important role in Johnstown’s successful campaign to be named Kraft Hockeyville USA in 2015.
• Coordinated the “Boys are Back in Town” event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of “Slap Shot” in February 2017. The three-day event was held in Johnstown.