That somehow sent the Summit Series nostalgia into overdrive. Now 10 years later the 40th anniversary celebrations are well underway, the Summit Series is bigger than ever.
But celebrations were not always like that.
In 1982, the ten year anniversary saw only 12 members of Team Canada gather at a brewery sponsored luncheon.
In 1997 Paul Henderson scored again as 18 original Team Canada members played an intra-squad game to commemorate the 25th anniversary. Only 3000 fans watch the game at Maple Leafs Gardens. Proceeds went to the Special Olympics.
In 1999, the 1972 Summit Series Alumni got together for a set of reunion games in Russia. 4 games were held in Elektrostal, Voskresensk, St. Petersburg, and Moscow. The Moscow game was televised in Russia, and was dedicated to the late great Valeri Kharlamov. His son Alexander, then an aspiring NHL prospect, played in the game. A total of 19 original Soviet players played in the game. Only 5 original Team Canada players made the trip, though Team Canada did feature several big-name ringers including Guy Lafleur and Bobby Hull.
The games were supposed to be part of the 25th anniversary celebrations in 1997, but financial chaos in Russia put the idea on indefinite hold.
2 comments:
Altough not on an anniversary year, a series of five reunion games were played in 1990 in Canada, between Team Canada and Team Soviet Union. The locations were Ottawa, Hamilton, Sudbury and two games in western Canada. I have on tape a television special called Legends of 72, providing highlights of the games and some very interesting interviews.
Although not an anniversary date, a series of five games were played in Canada in 1990 between Team Canada and Team Soviet Union. The locations were Ottawa, Hamilton, Sudbury and two western cities I forget. I have on tape a television special that featured highlights of all the games and interviews with members of Team Canada and Soviet netminder Vladislav Tretiak. Francis
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