The Daily: One of Slap Shot’s Hanson Brothers Diagnosed With Cancer

Steve Carlson played one of the Hanson brothers in the iconic hockey movie Slap Shot. But Carlson was once drafted by the Detroit Red Wings (131st, 1975) and ended up playing in both the World Hockey Association and the NHL.

Carlson recently announced he was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help him live while he undergoes radiation therapy.

Steve Carlson, 66, told the Tribune-Democrat he didn’t play long enough to qualify for an NHL pension. Thus, he is having a hard time paying life expenses with his social security and appearance fees from Hanson brothers events

“On October 4, 2021, my world was flipped upside down,” Carlson posted, adding: “Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) generally has a high survival rate. The 5-year survival is 99% when detected early. Once SCC has spread to the lymph nodes (In my case) and beyond, the survival rates are lower. Yet this cancer is still treatable with surgery and other therapies, even in its advanced stages.”

Around the NHL

Detroit: Every Halloween, an Illinois couple makes sure their son Anthony, stricken with cerebral palsy, has a great trick or treat experience. The movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is this year’s theme. Anthony is in the back, dressed as Cameron with the Gordie Howe jersey. Feel good story by Bob Duff 

Florida: Hockey Now’s George Richards offers his take on the possible replacements for Joel Quenneville. He resigned Thursday after meeting with Commissioner Gary Bettman to discuss his role in ignoring the sexual assault of a Chicago Blackhawks player in 2010. Richards’ list of coaching candidates.

Pittsburgh:  Hot Calgary Flames netminder Jacob Markstrom subdued the Penguins. His 45 saves were the difference in a 4-0 Flames win.  For the Flames’ perspective, read Steve MacFarlane’s story.

NYI: Semyon Varlamov will return to the Islanders lineup and Mathew Barzal receives fighting tips from Matt Martin?!

Colorado: Blues goalie Jordan Binnington swung his stick at Nazem Kadri, too. 

Toronto: Now that Henrik Lundqvist is retired, Auston Matthews is the new best-dressed NHLer. Matthews may have a new look for a good cause.