Summit Series
Celebrating The 1972 Summit Series
A Historic Hockey Event
On September 28, 1972, 15 million Canadians sat glued to their television and radio sets. From coast to coast to coast, Canadians tuned into what would become one of the most celebrated games—and goals—in hockey history.
“Henderson has scored for Canada!”
Those five words—broadcast all the way from Moscow—echoed across the country and caused a nation-wide sensation. Canada had just won the Summit Series.
Best vs. Best
Photo: Paul Henderson in the locker room during the 1972 Summit Series. Photo taken by Frank Lennon of the Toronto Star
Source: Frank Lennon / Library and Archives Canada, e010933346
Gearing Up For The Game
The 1972 Summit Series was an eight-game hockey competition between Canada and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.), with games taking place in cities across Canada and in Moscow. It all began with a desire for the top hockey players, from the top hockey countries, to compete—and to finally determine which nation was best at the sport.
Back then, international hockey competitions were only open to amateur players, leaving professional hockey stars from Canada sidelined. Canadians were confident that if their best professional hockey players were allowed to compete on international ice, they would have no problem defeating the Soviets—the team that had dominated the last decade of the world championships.
Planning for the series began in 1969, and, after many negotiations, concluded in April 1972. The result was the Summit Series, which was scheduled to take place in September of that year. With the dates set, it was time to round up a team to represent Canada in what would arguably become the most important competition in Canadian hockey history.
Meet The Team
Training for the Summit Series was to begin on August 13. Without any time to waste, Harry Sinden, the team's head coach and general manager—along with his assistant, John Ferguson—had recruited 35 of the best professional Canadian hockey players for the roster, creating a balanced team to take on the Soviets. Notable players included Phil Esposito, Tony Esposito, Ken Dryden, Brad Park, Paul Henderson, and Bobby Orr (who had to sit out the games due to a knee injury).
Team Canada’s Roster:
Forwards: Phil Esposito (C), Frank Mahovlich (LW), Peter Mahovlich (C), Gilbert Perreault (C), Yvan Cournoyer (RW), Bobby Clarke (C), Paul Henderson (LW), Ron Ellis (RW), Bill Goldsworthy (RW), Stan Mikita (C), Wayne Cashman (RW), Vic Hadfield (LW), Jean Ratelle (C), Marcel Dionne (C), Rick Martin (LW), Jean-Paul Parise (LW), Red Berenson (C), Rod Gilbert (RW), Dennis Hull (LW), Mickey Redmond (RW)
Defencemen: Serge Savard, Guy Lapointe, Gary Bergman, Bill White, Rod Seiling, Dale Tallon, Jocelyn Guevremont, Brian Glennie, Pat Stapleton, Don Awrey, Brad Park, Bobby Orr
Goaltenders: Tony Esposito, Ken Dryden, Ed Johnston
Photo: Group photo of Team Canada’s roster in uniform for the 1972 Summit Series. Photo taken by Frank Lennon of the Toronto Star
Source: Frank Lennon / Library and Archives Canada, e010933355
The Puck Drops
From Canada To Moscow
The first four games of the Summit Series were played in Canada. Starting in Montreal, Game One got off to a good start for Team Canada, but things quickly took a turn and the Soviets won the first game 7-3. Game Two in Toronto saw Team Canada bring the series back to a tie by winning the game 4-1. Game Three in Winnipeg resulted in a tie (4-4), and Game Four in Vancouver brought Canada another devastating loss with the Soviets winning 5-3. The crowd’s negative reaction to the loss sparked an emotional outburst from Phil Esposito, who told the booing Canadians, “…we’re doing the best we can; they’ve got a good team…but doesn’t mean we’re not giving it our 150%, because we certainly are...” Morale was low, but there were still four more games in the series to go.
The second half of the series was set in Moscow, the capital of the U.S.S.R. Although they were on unfamiliar ice, Team Canada was back and ready to fight for their place in the tournament—and they had 3,000 Canadian fans in the stands to help cheer them on. Although Team Canada lost Game Five 5-4, they felt they were playing better and more cohesively as a team. By Game Six, their newfound unity paid off—they won the game 3-2. Game Seven proved to be another success with Team Canada winning 5-4, thanks to a late-in-the-game goal by Paul Henderson. Against all the odds, Team Canada would be facing off in the final match—Game Eight—to break the tie between the two countries.
Photo: Dennis Hull on the break against the USSR during the 1972 Summit Series. Photo taken by Frank Lennon of the Toronto Star
Source: Frank Lennon / Library and Archives Canada, e010933350
Photo: Paul Henderson celebrating with Yvan Cournoyer after scoring the winning goal in Game 8 of the 1972 Summit Series vs the USSR. Photo taken by Frank Lennon of the Toronto Star
Source: Frank Lennon / Library and Archives Canada / e008440339
The Goal Heard Around The World
The tension was high going into Game Eight—not only for Team Canada, but for the rest of the country watching from home as well. Millions of Canadians tuned into the live broadcast—many even taking the day off work, or watching from school. This game was the most gripping of the entire series: the first period ended with a 2-2 tie, and during the second period, the Soviets took the lead with another three goals. The score was 5-3 going into the third period, but Team Canada wasn’t about to give up—there was still another 20 minutes to go.
Team Canada’s determination quickly paid off. Phil Esposito and Yvan Cournoyer scored a goal each, bringing the game, once again, to a tie—but that wouldn’t be enough to win the Summit Series. With under a minute left, Paul Henderson leapt onto the ice and raced towards the puck. In the words of play-by-play announcer, Foster Hewitt, “Henderson made a wild stab for it and fell. Here’s another shot! Right in front…” With just 34 seconds of the Series remaining, Henderson made history: he scored the winning goal for Team Canada.
“They score! Henderson has scored for Canada!”
Celebration Across The Nation
It was a moment in time that Canadians would not soon forget: the 1972 Summit Series—from the first puck drop to Henderson’s winning goal—was, and still is, a culturally significant event that remains at the forefront of our collective Canadian memory. It was a time when the whole country came together to cheer on Team Canada. Approximately 15 million out of 22 million Canadians tuned into Game Eight—a record amount of support.
“You don’t just watch a game with your eyes; you watch with your feelings, too.” – Paul Patskou, Hockey Historian
Today, we continue to cheer on Team Canada and celebrate the 1972 Summit Series with a coin that Canadians can find in their change—a tribute to a historic sporting event that not only crowned us as the best in hockey, but that brought out the best in Canadians as well.
Photo: Excited Canadian fans cheering on Team Canada during Game 8 of the 1972 Summit Series vs the USSR at the Luzhniki Palace of Sports stadium in Moscow. Photo taken by Frank Lennon of the Toronto Star
© Estate of Frank Lennon
Credit:Frank Lennon / Library and Archives Canada, e010933351
Thank You
Team Canada 1972
