‘Slap Shot’ Feels No Shame At No. 4 In NESN.com’s Top 10 Sports Movies

Editor’s note: In the spirit of holiday movie-watching, we asked NESN.com readers to vote for their favorite sports film of all time. The debate was fierce, but the votes spoke for themselves. Hockey-mad New England showed “Slap Shot” some serious respect, ranking it fourth among the top 10 sports movies of all time.

Why it’s a top-10 sports movie: Simply put, “Slap Shot” changed the game. It was vulgar, chock full of violence and starred one of the most famous actors on the planet — not exactly a common combination in 1977 — and set the standard that every R-rated sports movie still strives to emulate.

Biggest star: The aforementioned megastar was Paul Newman, who played Reggie Dunlop, the Charlestown Chiefs’ player-coach. Newman’s Dunlop always has something up his sleeve and propels his team up the ranks of the Federal League.

Marquee moment: Any one involving the Hanson brothers is gold, but the fight-happy trio’s highlight might be when, after inciting a pregame brawl, they are accosted by the head referee during the national anthem. Steve Hanson’s response? “I’m listening to the (expletive) song!”

Did you know? Current Anaheim Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau was one of several minor league hockey players cast as extras in the film. Boudreau played for the Johnstown Jets of the North American Hockey League at the time.