Jerry Houser didn’t make it back to Johnstown for Kraft Hockeyville USA, but he was here in spirit.

Houser played the character Dave “Killer” Carlson on the movie “Slap Shot,” filmed in Johnstown in 1976.

“It would have been wonderful to have been there,” Houser said Tuesday from Los Angeles, where he does voice-over work and produces radio programming.

Houser appeared in films such as “Summer of ’42” and “Magic” and played Marcia Brady’s husband in Brady Bunch movies.

But he says his time in Johnstown is among his favorite experiences.

“It really is wonderful to be part of something that has had such a long life as ‘Slap Shot’ has,” Houser said. “I don’t know if any of us would have expected that when we were doing it, that we would be part of something that would be so popular so many years later.”

Houser said he has stayed in touch with Hanson Brothers Steve Carlson, Jeff Carlson and Dave Hanson – the latter the original “Killer” when the trio played for the Johnstown Jets.

“The movie relied on a lot of regular hockey people,” Houser said. “Jeff, Steve, Dave – they were there because it was fun and crazy. I don’t think they were even worried about the Hollywood side of it.”

Houser called working with lead actor Paul Newman, who portrayed player/coach Reggie Dunlop, a special opportunity.

“He was a great guy,” Houser said. “Very affable. Very real.”