28 September 2012
Toronto, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper will later today join members of the 1972 Canadian team in a celebration marking the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series, the epic eight-game hockey series between Canada and the Soviet Union, which captured the attention of hockey fans around the world and united Canadians from coast to coast to coast. The Prime Minister will mark this occasion at an event in Toronto with the members of the 1972 Canadian team.
“The 1972 Summit Series was one of those rare and defining moments in sport that means much more than winning a game or a series,” said Prime Minister Harper. “This was a grueling competition between exceptionally talented teams that redefined how hockey is played around the globe, reinforced Canada’s claim of hockey supremacy and demonstrated the true power of sport during a challenging Cold War era.”
Beginning on September 2, 1972, the first four games of the Summit Series took place across Canada while the final four games were held in Moscow. Following the fifth game, Canada stood with three losses, one win and a tie against the Soviet team, which demonstrated remarkable skill and exceptional training. The Canadian team had an uphill battle ahead, needing to win the remaining three games in order to win the series. With sound determination and fierce rivalry, the Canadian team fought back to defeat the Soviet Union and emerge victorious from the Summit Series.
Paul Henderson’s winning goal to end the series is considered one of the greatest moments in Canadian sport history. To this day, the Summit Series is remembered fondly for being a defining moment for Canada.
