Guido Tenesi, a 1973 fifth-round draft pick of the Penguins, who went on to play the role of Billy "Pretty Boy" Charlebois in the movie "Slap Shot," died Thursday. He was 71. No cause of death was reported.
After the Penguins drafted Mr. Tenesi, a defenseman, the Detroit native played for the Tulsa Oilers of the CHL, then played 10 regular-season games in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, then a Penguins affiliate, which went on to win the Calder Cup in 1974. Mr. Tenesi played four playoff games for the Bears the following season.
The Bears released a statement Friday, saying, "We’re saddened to learn of the passing of Guido Tenesi, a member of our roster during the 1974 Calder Cup championship ... Our hearts are with his family, friends, and teammates."
He joined the Johnstown Jets of the NAHL in 1974-75, and playing with Steve Carlson, Jeff Carlson and David Hanson (who played the Hanson brothers), and Nic Dowd (Ogie Ogilthorpe), led to Mr. Tenesi being cast as one of the Charlestown Chiefs in the legendary film.
Steve Carlson posted a remembrance Friday on X:
"RIP Guido Tenesi "Pretty boy" Good guy gone too soon. 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. Rest easy #5. Forever a Chief!"
Mr. Tenesi had a well-traveled 8-season professional career, playing in Tulsa, Hershey Johnstown (three seasons), the Maine Nordiques of the NAHL (one season), the Grand Rapids Owls of the IHL (three seasons) and one season in Italy in 1986-87, after he had retired in 1980.
Indeed, gone too soon. May he Rest In Peace. He'll live on in memory as long as that movie does, which means he'll live on forever.
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THE ASYLUM
Bob Maddamma
1:01 am - 06.21.2025rochester, n.y.Guido Tenesi, a 1973 fifth-round draft pick of the Penguins, who went on to play the role of Billy "Pretty Boy" Charlebois in the movie "Slap Shot," died Thursday. He was 71. No cause of death was reported.
After the Penguins drafted Mr. Tenesi, a defenseman, the Detroit native played for the Tulsa Oilers of the CHL, then played 10 regular-season games in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, then a Penguins affiliate, which went on to win the Calder Cup in 1974. Mr. Tenesi played four playoff games for the Bears the following season.
The Bears released a statement Friday, saying, "We’re saddened to learn of the passing of Guido Tenesi, a member of our roster during the 1974 Calder Cup championship ... Our hearts are with his family, friends, and teammates."
He joined the Johnstown Jets of the NAHL in 1974-75, and playing with Steve Carlson, Jeff Carlson and David Hanson (who played the Hanson brothers), and Nic Dowd (Ogie Ogilthorpe), led to Mr. Tenesi being cast as one of the Charlestown Chiefs in the legendary film.
Steve Carlson posted a remembrance Friday on X:
"RIP Guido Tenesi "Pretty boy" Good guy gone too soon. 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. Rest easy #5. Forever a Chief!"
Mr. Tenesi had a well-traveled 8-season professional career, playing in Tulsa, Hershey Johnstown (three seasons), the Maine Nordiques of the NAHL (one season), the Grand Rapids Owls of the IHL (three seasons) and one season in Italy in 1986-87, after he had retired in 1980.
Indeed, gone too soon. May he Rest In Peace. He'll live on in memory as long as that movie does, which means he'll live on forever.
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