Dave Hanson (born April 12, 1954) is an American former professional ice hockey player and actor, best known for his role as one of the Hanson Brothers in the 1977 cult classic film Slap Shot. Although he was originally cast as "Dave 'Killer' Carlson", he was recast as Jack Hanson when Jack Carlson became unavailable. The Hanson Brothers characters were inspired by the real-life Carlson brothers, who played with Hanson on the Johnstown Jets. He also inspired the character Dave "Killer" Carlson in the movie.
Hanson played 33 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1978 and 1980 with the Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota North Stars and 103 games in the World Hockey Association (WHA) between 1977 and 1979. Throughout his professional hockey career, which spanned from 1974 to 1984, he won multiple league and playoff championships. As of 2015, Hanson was the Executive Director of the Island Sports Center at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He continues to make appearances with the other "Hanson Brothers" at promotional and charity events.
