When Vancouver Canucks coach Bruce Boudreau was 20-years-old, his first professional team was the Johnstown Jets, who played in the North American Hockey League, when it was a Minor Pro Hockey League. The 1976 team lives on through the most memorable hockey movie ever made — Slap Shot.
Although Bruce’s part in the film was minor, he jokes around that he was a star in the film and I can’t argue that point. However, one can argue that his role in the film was more important than any others. He not only allowed use of his apartment to shoot some scenes, but he taught Reggie ‘Reg’ Dunlop how to shoot a slap shot. Without Bruce, would Slap Shot really be the most iconic hockey movie? I think not.
The funniest part about this whole video is that the reason his apartment was chosen was because they were searching for the dirtiest apartment that the Johnstown Jet’s team had to offer. Without hesitation, the boys on the team all pointed to Bruce Boudreau and he knew he was the obvious candidate. I mean who wouldn’t offer that up? I know I would.
My only question is… were the empty beer cans and bottles show props or just left over from all the boys partying it up in Bruce’s apartment? We may just never know.
