Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Good News on Steve Carlson

April 25, 2020, 10:45 AM ET [8 Comments]
Paul Stewart
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Former WHA/NHL player and minor league coach Steve Carlson -- of Slap Shot Fame as one of the Hanson brothers -- posted some good news on social media after his recent two-day hospitalization. He has been released from the hospital, and is back home in Johnstown, PA.

Steve, who is 64 years old, tested negative for Covid-19. More testing and cardiologist consultation is needed but he is on the mend and in good spirits.

In a statement, Steve Carlson said, "I am grateful and humbled for outpouring of prayers, concern and well wishes. To have friends, fans and the hockey family put on the foil during this time, gives me strength. I and my family are looking forward to a full recovery."

There hasn't been much in the way of good news in 2020, so the promising outlook for Steve is especially welcome. I don't cross paths very often with Steve, brothers Jeff and Jack or Dave Hanson but I genuinely like and greatly respect all of those guys. They're all good men.

For those who don't know the Slap Shot back story, the three Carlson brothers were slated to appear in the movie but Jack was called up to the Edmonton Oilers so Dave "Killer" Hanson was cast as the third brother. The surnames were switched around for movie purposes with the Carlson becoming the Hansons and actor Jerry Houser's Charlestown Chiefs (the fictionalized version of the Johnstown Jets, later Johnstown Chiefs) teammate character being named Dave "Killer" Carlson.

In-real life hockey, Jeff Carlson, Jack Carlson and Dave Hanson were tough-guy enforcers. Steve, in reality, was not a highly penalized player nor did he fight with much frequency but could handle himself when the situation arose. I believe that I fought all three Carlsons -- I know for a fact that I dropped the gloves with Jeff and Jack -- and I had epic fights with Dave as well as Jack. As usual, it was nothing personal: just hockey.

There is a special bond between those of us who used to play the enforcer role on the ice, because we had the shared experience not just of having to fight one another but also of having lived with the day-to-day realities of that role. Our game-day preparations, on top of the things that everyone on our team did to get ready for a game, was also to anticipate whom we'd likely have to fight that night and coming up with a plan for it.

After we crossed paths in the minor leagues and WHA, we went our separate ways. I have mostly encountered Steve, Jeff, and Dave at Hanson brothers appearances where I was also on hand as a guest referee. Jack Carlsonwrote me a very nice email after my US Hockey Hall of Fame selection, which I have saved and meant a lot to me.

At any rate, I wish Steve a speedy recovery and many happy and healthy years to come of putting on the foil and bringing laughter and happiness to hockey fans across the continent.

*********

A 2018 inductee into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, Paul Stewart holds the distinction of being the first U.S.-born citizen to make it to the NHL as both a player and referee. On March 15, 2003, he became the first American-born referee to officiate in 1,000 NHL games.

Visit Paul's official websites, YaWannaGo.com and Officiating by Stewart.
Join the Discussion: » 8 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Paul Stewart