[5] They are initially looked at with scorn by their teammates and coach, due to their childlike immaturity, thick black-rimmed glasses, and propensity for brawling.
[2][7] The idea of a Hanson Brothers reunion was first pitched to Steve Carlson in 1993 as a way to increase ticket sales for the Memphis Riverkings, a Central Hockey League team that he was then the coach of.
A few weeks later, they held a second reunion at a home game for the AHL Capital District Islanders where Dave Hanson was the general manager.
[8] Sixteen years after the film's release, the Hansons began appearing in character at charity and promotional events at arenas throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
[1][9] Screenplay writer Nancy Dowd has been critical of the appearances, claiming they diminished the value of Slap Shot and violated her author's rights.