In the world of professional sports, some athletes create an aura beyond their talents through endorsements, reality based shows or Twitter accounts – yes, we’re talking to you, Ochocinco. Getting punched in the face was the path for former Hanover Mall cop and current Hanson Police Officer Doug Smith.

“I didn’t have much talent, but I could take a punch,” said former Hanover High School Assistant Hockey Coach Doug Smith. “In fact, my best friend Adam Frattasio used to punch me in the face just to toughen me up.” Wanting to take his skills pro, Smith called Duxbury resident and local attorney Brian Cook, who represented a number of professional hockey players, to ask for his help.

“I remember getting the call and asking, ‘so where do you play?’ When Doug said nowhere, I thought well, then this is going to be a bit harder, isn’t it?”

Cook made a few phones calls and as luck would have it, a team in the East Coast Hockey league needed some muscle. Smith hopped in the car and drove to Johnstown, Penn. to showcase his talents. Eight years and several hundred penalty-minutes later, Smith would achieve his dream and sign an American Hockey League contract, fighting almost all of the tough guys in the game.  His exploits would lead to a book, ‘Goon: An Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey,” written by his sparring partner Adam Frattasio. The book was later optioned by Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks and made into a major motion picture starring Sean William Scott and Eugene Levy of ‘American Pie’ fame.

Last Thursday night, Smith attended the premiere of his film at the Patriot Cinema in Hanover in front of 250 of his closest friends, including Cook.  Among the crowd was Duxbury’s State Champion hockey coach Friend Weiler and videographer Lisa Segal filming the event as her colleague Debora Katz interviewed guests.

“It was a great night,” said Weiler. “I just fear some of my players might have seen it.”

Goon premiers nationally this weekend. To watch a video of the red carpet filmed by Lisa Segal, visit the link at youtube.com/watch?v=0Hb72ZmqDVw