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New York Post
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Slap Shot' actor, hockey player Guido Tenesi dead at 71: ‘You're forever a Chief'
Former professional hockey player Guido Tenesi, who starred in the 1977 sports classic 'Slap Shot,' died at 71 years old. '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 cause of death was not announced. Advertisement 3 Guido Tenesi played Billy Charlebois in the 1977 sports movie 'Slap Shot.' Guido Tenesi/IMDB Tenesi, a defenseman, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round of the NHL Draft in 1973 and played for minor-league affiliate Hershey for two years. He played across several pro hockey leagues over the next seven seasons. Advertisement It was his time on the Johnstown Jets, where he helped lead the team to the North American Hockey League championship in 1974-75, that landed him a role in 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 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.' 3 Actors from Slapshot Guido Tenesi and Jean Tetreault attend the Sports Card Expo at the International Centre on November 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Getty Images Dowd's sister Nancy was writing a hockey movie and Ned would play Chiefs' opponent Ogie Ogilthorpe. Advertisement 'It was neat, being in a movie,' Tenesi said. 'How they made it, is what was so interesting to me.' Slap Shot tells the tale of a failing minor league hockey team, the Charlestown Chiefs, who are led by player and coach Reggie Dunlop, played by Newman. In 2020, Tenesi recalled his time filming the movie as the 'good old days' and 'a time to remember,' sharing a photo alongside Newman, who died in 2008. Steve Carlson, who played Steve Hanson — the youngest sibling of the beloved fighting trio in the film — mourned Tenesi as a 'good guy gone too soon.' Advertisement '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.' Tenesi won 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 top defenseman. 3 Michael Ontkean, Paul Newman and Guido Tenesi in 'Slap Shot.' Guido Tenesi / Facebook The cult classic hockey film served as Tenesi's lone acting credit. After he retired from hockey in 1987, 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.' Advertisement Jeff Carlson, who played Jeff Hanson, also paid tribute 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 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.'
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Their smiles are infectious': 1st Summit Arena, Tomahawks celebrate couple's decades of service
Bert Rebar has been part of the staff since the doors opened at what then was known as Cambria County War Memorial Arena in 1950. Rebar only was 12 when he landed a part-time job at the newly built arena. He's filled a variety of roles at the War Memorial, but for decades Rebar managed the commissary, supplying food, beverages and ice to the concession stands at 1st Summit Arena. His wife Carol, whom he met during a public skating event at the War Memorial in 1964, also is a mainstay in the nearly 75-year-old building. She has worked in the concession stand since 1988. "If you ask people, they'll say Bert came with the building," said Derek Partsch, Johnstown Tomahawks director of business operations. "They're a staple. You expect to see Bert and Carol here." Fans strolling through the concourse at the arena throughout the past seven decades certainly know the Rebars, who have been married 58 years. That's what made Saturday night's celebration of Bert and Carol's time at 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial so special. The arena staff and Johnstown Tomahawks surprised the Rebars with a special presentation during the first intermission of a North American Hockey League game against the New Hampshire Mountain Kings. A video on the four-sided large scoreboard included a 2-minute montage that featured photos of Bert and Carol throughout their years in the historic building where "Slap Shot" was filmed and the 2015 Kraft Hockeyville USA title was won. Balloons dropped from the ceiling. The team presented them with commemorative Tomahawks jerseys. More than 30 family members attended the event, a fact hidden from Bert and Carol until they were on the ice during the ceremony. The biggest announcement revealed that the 1st Summit Arena commissary near Section 17 has been renamed "Bert's Commissary," and concession stand No. 4 located underneath Sections 1 and 2 near the main entrance now is named "Carol's Stand." "Bert has been here since Day 1 and he's incredible," said 1st Summit Arena usher Dan Lovrich, whose more than 52 years on the staff is second in seniority to Bert Rebar. "The fact that he's here all the time is amazing," Lovrich said. "He's very dependable. He keeps the commissary going back there. He stocks everything and gets it ready for the fans." Heather Dulashaw, 1st Summit Arena events coordinator, appreciates the couple's work ethic and commitment to show up at all the events through the years. "Many of us think of them as family and they treat us all the same," Dulashaw said. "Both of them have been in the building for so long, they can tell you about all types of events and guide anyone in their job roles," Dulashaw said. "They also have so many stories about events and happenings at the arena. "Bert and Carol are always so nice and always smiling. They are truly wonderful people. They always are there to lend a helping hand or guidance, and their smiles are infectious."
