Team Canada 1972

In September 1972, Team Canada and Team USSR, the two recognized hockey powers of the world, played each other in the Summit Series – the first competition between the Soviet and an NHL-inclusive Canadian national ice hockey team.

Most Canadians expected the series to be a one-sided win for the NHL’s best professionals. The Soviets had dominated World and Olympic play since 1962, but they were amateurs. Canadian fans were longing to see a series that would pit their best professionals against the best the Soviets had to offer. In September of 1972, they got their wish.

The eight-game series has become one of the most fascinating sports spectacles of the 20th century. On September 28, 1972, Paul Henderson scored the series-clinching goal against goaltender Vladislav Tretiak. Canada won the series four games to three with one tie, with a country looking on, bursting with nationalism and pride.

The overall success of the series led to the creation of the Canada Cup in 1976, now the World Cup of Hockey. The team as a whole was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. For the 35th anniversary of the series, Canadian and Russian junior teams competed in the 2007 Super Series and the 2012 Canada-Russia Challenge

Interesting Facts

Paul Henderson was among those Team Canada players who considered turning down the invitation to play. He and his wife had planned a European vacation that summer, but his agent talked him into going.

Months before his signing in the WHA prevented him from playing, Bobby Hull warned Canada could lose the series. He cited the lack of NHL conditioning in early September and that the Russians would never have agreed to such as series without confidence they could win.

Brad Park’s wife Gerry gave birth to son James between Games 1 and 2. Park had to hustle back to the hospital in Toronto after the debacle in Montreal to attend.

Memorable Moments