Carlson played in the
World Hockey Association with the
Minnesota Fighting Saints,
Edmonton Oilers and
New England Whalers, and in the
National Hockey League for the
Minnesota North Stars and
St. Louis Blues. He accumulated 1,111 penalty minutes in 508 professional games. Late in his professional career, he came to be known as "Killer Carlson" because of "
enforcer" style of play. Carlson's brothers
Steve and
Jeff are also former professional hockey players, and are famous for roles in the movie
Slap Shot as two of the
Hanson Brothers. Carlson was originally supposed to play the third brother; however, he was called up by the Edmonton Oilers just before shooting and was replaced by
Dave Hanson. Carlson was an acting referee and linesman for the Twin Cities AHA Hockey League. ==Career statistics==