The 1972 Summit Series Recognized as an Event of National Historic Significance
News Release
August 31, 2016 Montreal, Québec Parks Canada Agency
Stéphane Lauzon, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities and Member of Parliament for Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, on behalf of the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, today unveiled a commemorative plaque from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) to recognize the national historic significance of the1972 Summit Series. A special ceremony was held at the Montreal Forum, with members of the HSMBC and former Team Canada players of the1972 Summit Series.
Held at the Montreal Forum, Game One of this unprecedented eight-game hockey series was played on September 2, 1972. Marking the first encounter between top Canadian professional players and the Soviet Union’s national team, the series evoked incredible passion in both countries. It was a defining moment that brought all Canadians together to cheer for Team Canada.
The Government of Canada is committed to connecting Canadians to significant people, places and events that contributed to our country’s rich and varied history. Over the years, Team Canada’s accomplishment has been celebrated in Canadian tradition and the players who showed such incredible heart and determination would help define Canada to the world. Many believe this special series changed hockey forever.
The players present at today’s unveiling are in town to kick off the ’72 Summit Series Tour. Forty-four years to the day, the legends of Team Canada 1972 will relive the iconic eight-game series in the four Canadian cities that hosted them in 1972.
Quotes
“Marking the first encounter between top Canadian professional players and the Soviet Union’s national team, the series united Canadians more than any other sporting event, as fans rallied behind the Team Canada players who showed incredible heart, determination and individual effort that would come to define our athletes to the world. Designating the 1972 Summit Series as a national historic event highlights its significance and underlines its importance in our history. It aroused pride and patriotism in both countries, and contributed to a new level of mutual understanding and respect through a shared passion for hockey.”
Stéphane Lauzon
Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities and Member of Parliament for Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation
“We greatly appreciate this recognition by the federal government. For an athlete, there is no greater honour than to represent one's country. The stakes were especially high for us in September 1972. And the Summit Series will forever be our favourite hockey memory.”
Team Canada 1972
Quick facts
- An estimated 15 out of 20 million Canadians tuned in, and many schools and businesses set up television sets so that everyone could watch the final game, brought by satellite technology.
- From September 2 to 10, audiences will hear memories from the locker room and away from the rink from the men who inspired generations of hockey players. Ken Dryden, Serge Savard, Yvan Cournoyer, coach Harry Sinden and a rotating line up of their teammates Bobby Clarke, Phil Esposito, Rod Gilbert, Pete Mahovlich, Brad Park, Pat Stapleton and Dennis Hull will be back on tour through Montreal, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Toronto.
- Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history.
- The Government of Canada is currently seeking applications from diverse and talented Canadians from across the country who are interested in becoming a member of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. The Board invites Canadians meeting the requirements to submit their candidacies via the Governor in Council website by September 19, 2016.
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Additional links
Media contacts
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca
Leisa Lee
Public Relations for the ’72 Summit Series Tour
514-946-2010
leisa@leisaleegroup.com
Caitlin Workman
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-938-9436
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