I have read that book and you are right, it is a great read. And thanks, Paul for this blog. I loved every word of it. And there is one person from that Johnstown Jets team that Slap Shot was based on that still has a prominent role in the NHL and that is Anaheim Ducks Coach, Bruce Boudreau. What surprised me about that Jets team was that besides being one tough team during that time, they were also a pretty good hockey team and did win a championship.
- Wingsfan61
Speaking of Boudreau, the apartment used as the set for player/coach Reggie Dunlop's (
Paul Newman) digs was the actual Johnstown apartment once shared in real life by three Jets' players: the aforementioned Anaheim coach
Bruce "Gabby" Boudreau, tough right winger and current long time
Philadelphia Flyers General Manager
Paul "Homer" Holmgren, and
Dave "Killer" Hanson who played "Jack Hanson", the eldest of the three
Hanson Brothers in the movie and who later played in both the WHA and in the NHL with
Detroit and
Minnesota. Boudreau also had a cameo in the movie as
#7 for the
"Hyannisport Presidents" early in the film.
Johnstown Jets' roomies Bruce Boudreau, Paul Holmgren, and Dave Hanson