‘Slap Shot’ actor and former pro hockey player dead at 71

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Guido Tenesi, a former professional hockey player who suited up for the Charleston Chiefs in Slap Shot, has died at 71 years old.

Tenesi played the character of Billy Charlebois in the 1977 classic sports movie and played several seasons of pro hockey in various minor leagues.

A cause of death was not announced.

“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 Slap Shot,” the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League posted on X.

“Our hearts are with his family, friends, and teammates.”

The native of Detroit played two seasons in the OHL with the Oshawa Generals before being selected in the fifth round of the 1973 NHL draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins and also in the ninth round of the WHA amateur draft by the Toronto Toros.

Over his seven-year career, the defenceman never made it to the big show, playing a total of seven seasons with the Bears, Tulsa Oilers, Johnstown Jets, Maine Nordiques and Grand Rapids Owls.

During his time with the Jets — where he helped the team win the North American Hockey League championship in 1975 — he landed the role in the Paul Newman film.

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“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 told the Utica Observer-Dispatch in 2016. “If someone tripped on the ice or if a player broke their stick and threw it over the glass, Ned recorded it.”

Dowd would play Chiefs antagonist Ogie Ogilthorpe in the movie, which was written by his sister, Nancy.

“It was neat, being in a movie,” Tenesi said. “How they made it, is what was so interesting to me.”

Tributes poured in over social media from the cast for their former Charlestown Chiefs teammate.

Steve Carlson, who played Steve Hanson, posted several memories of Tenesi, whom he called a “good guy gone too soon.”

“RIP Guido Tenesi ‘Pretty boy’ Good guy gone too soon,” 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,” he added

Slap Shot was Tenesi’s only acting credit and, after retiring from hockey in 1987 following a season in the Italian league, he worked 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 said, adding, “Whether you remember him for his on-ice grit, his international pride, or his silver-screen cool in Slap Shot, Guido Tenesi stood for something rare: authenticity. He brought truth to the game, truth to the screen, and truth to what it meant to live as a player, not a character.

“Rest easy, #5 — you’re forever a Chief.”

Jeff Carlson, who played Jeff Hanson, also paid tribute to Tenesi in a post on Facebook.

“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 (sic) 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.”