The movie “Slap Shot” is a cult classic, and no more so than with hockey fans.
 
The film was supposed to be an ironic satire of pro hockey in the 1970s. At the time, many thought it to be a violent and outrageous sport, and the film was more or less intended to lampoon hockey for its ridiculousness.
 
But something happened that was likely unintended: a real sense of fun came through in the film, helping the movie, in the ultimate irony, to be accepted by the hockey community rather than scorned.

 Hockey fans and players, not realizing that the movie was trying to poke fun at them, ate it up. As hockey evolved and moved away from the goon scene of the '70s, people began to long for those days, for "old time hockey."
 
The satire, over time, became a celebration.
 
Hidden in all the hockey mayhem was an interesting story, of a desperate man and his struggle to salvage life as he knows it. It's the story of a dying town, a story that was only too real for the town itself, since the film was made in the city that had inspired it. But, like the sport of hockey, Johnstown either did not realize or did not care that it was a target for satire. It carries the banner of the film today as proudly as does anyone.

Based on interviews with over 50 cast members and production staff, The Making of Slap Shot reveals behind-the-scenes details about the creation of the film, including such tidbits as: 

• "Slap Shot" was chosen to appear at the Cannes Film Festival; while it wasn't in competition at the festival, it was given a prestigious place there. It bombed (though perhaps not surprisingly!)
• Bruce Boudreau, head coach of the Washington Capitals, was an extra in "Slap Shot." 
• Henry Winkler, aka The Fonz, was almost cast as a Hanson Brother. 
• All-time minor league scoring champion Dick Roberge, who played a referee in "Slap Shot," was the real-life inspiration for the character of Reggie Dunlop. 
• Future talk show host Regis Philbin was among the film critics who slammed "Slap Shot" when it was released. 
• Allan Nicholls, who played Charlestown Chiefs captain Johnny Upton, is the grandson of a Hockey Hall of Fame netminder. 
• "Slap Shot" marked the first and only time Paul Newman ever shared screen time with any of his children - his eldest daughter played a pharmacist in two scenes, including one with her father.