Hanson Brothers return for encore appearance

By Joe Shetrom, 7641 Sports

joe@7641.com

The Hanson Brothers were back, and they brought their toys with them.  The iconic trio, known for their memorable roles in Slapshot, returned to the Harrisburg area for a charity hockey game Saturday afternoon at Twin Ponds East.  It’s the second straight year the black eyeglass-wearing threesome – Jeff Carlson, Steve Carlson and Dave Hanson – have participated in Play It Again for Charity’s annual fundraiser.  This year’s theme was “Paint the Rink Pink,” with proceeds benefiting the Central Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.  “We like what they do,” said Rob Ziemba, founder of Play It Again for Charity, referring to the CPBCA.  “Their staff gets very involved with the people that have mass form and I think that’s very important.” 

This is the seventh year Ziemba and Jon Jehrio, Chairman of Play It Again for Charity, have organized such an event, with a cumulative total of $10,400 raised for various organizations.  “It’s probably a good six months out of the year, just planning it,” said Ziemba.  “It takes a lot of time to do the things we do.”  It’s also the second consecutive year the Hanson Brothers have taken part in the festivities.  “They like small venues,” remarked Ziemba.  “They (The Hansons) love the mom and pop rinks like we have here, where they can interact directly with the fans.”

Steve Carlson, who portrayed Steve Hanson in the original Slapshot film 30 years ago – and spent nearly 20 years playing and coaching in the pro ranks – enjoys the annual charity events.  “Meeting the people, associating with the people, playing with the guys – it’s just a fun thing to do,” said Carlson.  The 51-year-old Minnesota native also commented that the trio remains very busy.  “This year has been kind of freakish,” he said.  “We did six commercials in Canada… and I run the merchandise on our stuff (at www.stevecarlsonhockey.com).  It’ll be nice to take a couple months off, just to relax.”

Carlson played a knuckle-dragging goon in Slapshot, but during his professional career, he never amassed more than 84 penalty minutes in one season.  “The movie helped my career a lot,” noted Carlson.  “They thought I was tough.  When Dave (Hanson) and Jeff (Carlson) were tough, I wasn’t.  They (opposing players) thought I was, so they kind of let me alone a bit.” 

In the game, which pitted the Red Robin Robins against the Harbour House Crabs, the clown princes of hockey were up to their old tricks.  When a questionable offsides was whistled during the 1^st period, all three Hansons offered their trademark glasses to a linesman, earning a chorus of laughs from the players and spectators.  The trio also sported pink laces in support of breast cancer awareness, and played in their famous Charlestown Chiefs jerseys.  At the final buzzer, the score stood at 9-4 in favor of the Red Robins.  Following the contest, the threesome signed autographs for close to an hour in the Twin Ponds lobby.

And what about next year’s event.  Any plans in the works?  “I don’t even want to think about hockey for three months,” joked Ziemba.  “I don’t think my wife will allow me.”

Joe Shetrom also covers the Hershey Bears for 7641 Sports, www.7641.com/bears.htm, and contributes articles to the American Hockey League’s oldest franchise.