Former skilled hockey participant Guido Tenesi, who starred within the 1977 sports activities basic “Slap Shot,” died at 71 years outdated.
“We’re saddened to learn of the passing of Guido Tenesi, a member of our roster during the 1974 Calder Cup championship, and was known to many more for his role as Billy Charlebois in the classic hockey film “Slapshot,” the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League posted Thursday. “Our hearts are with his family, friends, and teammates.”
A reason for demise was not introduced.
Tenesi, a defenseman, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins within the fifth spherical of the NHL Draft in 1973 and performed for minor-league affiliate Hershey for 2 years.
He performed throughout a number of professional hockey leagues over the following seven seasons.
It was his time on the Johnstown Jets, the place he helped lead the crew to the North American Hockey League championship in 1974-75, that landed him a job within the Paul Newman comedy.
“I played on the same team as Ned Dowd, Dave Hanson, and the Carlsons. Ned would walk around with a tape recorder, and taking notes on everything that happened on one of our road trips,” Tenesi informed the Utica Observer-Dispatch in 2016. ”If somebody tripped on the ice, or if a participant broke their stick and threw it over the glass, Ned recorded it.”
Dowd’s sister Nancy was writing a hockey film and Ned would play Chiefs’ opponent Ogie Ogilthorpe.
“It was neat, being in a movie,” Tenesi mentioned. “How they made it, is what was so interesting to me.”
Slap Shot tells the story of a failing minor league hockey crew, the Charlestown Chiefs, who’re led by participant and coach Reggie Dunlop, performed by Newman.
In 2020, Tenesi recalled his time filming the film because the “good old days” and “a time to remember,” sharing a photograph alongside Newman, who died in 2008.
Steve Carlson, who performed Steve Hanson — the youngest sibling of the beloved preventing trio within the movie — mourned Tenesi as a “good guy gone too soon.”
“RIP Guido Tenesi “Pretty boy” Good man gone too quickly,” Carlson posted.
“On behalf of myself and Vicki We send our heartfelt condolences. He always had HONOR and Class. Prayers for comfort to the entire family and my fellow teammates and co actors who experience yet another loss of the teammate.”
Tenesi gained the 1975 Lockhart Cup as a champion with the Jets and in 1979 was the IHL’s Governor Trophy winner, awarded to the league’s high defenseman.
The cult basic hockey movie served as Tenesi’s lone appearing credit score. After he retired from hockey in 1987, he labored as a swimming pool technician in Toronto.
“He never chased fame. He never needed to. For those who knew, Guido Tenesi was the real deal — an unfiltered, unforgettable part of hockey lore,” Carlson mentioned, including, “Whether or not you bear in mind him for his on-ice grit, his worldwide satisfaction, or his silver-screen cool in Slap Shot, Guido Tenesi stood for one thing uncommon: authenticity. He introduced reality to the sport, reality to the display screen, and reality to what it meant to reside as a participant, not a personality.
“Rest easy, #5 — you’re forever a Chief.”
Jeff Carlson, who performed Jeff Hanson, additionally paid tribute on Fb.
“Very sad to say that we have lost another brother, castmate, friend and great family man as Guido Tenesi has passed away. We send prayers out to his loving wife Leslie and there whole family. Guido was a great hockey player but a even better person. I along with so many others will miss our great friend. R.I.P Guido we will never forget you.”
