Only in Canada: The Summit Series

Summary

The 40th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series between Team Canada and the USSR is celebrated, recalling the profound impact it had on Canada’s collective memory. The series remains a cornerstone of Canadian culture, with emotional memories of Paul Henderson’s iconic goal. Personal stories, such as Scott Wraith’s collection of sticks from the series, showcase the deep connection Canadians have to this event. The victory, a symbol of Canada's identity, is remembered for its significance amid concerns over the influence of U.S.-controlled hockey. The series left an indelible mark, offering a rare moment of national unity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 40th anniversary of the Summit Series between Team Canada and the USSR has sparked renewed fascination with the iconic 1972 hockey series.
• 😀 Many Canadians can vividly recall where they were, who they were with, and how they felt when Paul Henderson scored the game-winning goal in the series.
• 😀 The Summit Series was a shared, collective experience for Canada, uniting the country through the emotional highs of the games.
• 😀 Author Sean Mitten’s book, '72 Memories,' highlights diverse personal stories from the series, emphasizing the unity it created across Canada.
• 😀 One notable story involves Scott Wraith, whose parents traveled to Moscow and brought back Paul Henderson’s and Brad Park’s sticks, symbolizing the personal connections Canadians had to the series.
• 😀 The sticks, autographed by the players, hold deep sentimental value to Wraith and reflect the national pride surrounding the victory.
• 😀 Bruce Kid, who wrote a critical hockey book 40 years ago, discusses the anxiety Canadians felt about losing control of the hockey culture before the Summit Series.
• 😀 The Canadian victory in the Summit Series was not just about winning in hockey but reaffirmed that hockey was a Canadian game, not controlled by the U.S.-based NHL.
• 😀 The emotional victory was seen as a cultural affirmation, showing that Team Canada’s players were playing better than the NHL allowed them to.
• 😀 For Sean Mitten, living in the U.S. has given him a unique perspective on the importance of the Summit Series goal, highlighting how it stood as a positive moment for Canada, in contrast to the U.S.’s collective memories of tragic events like 9/11.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 1972 Summit Series between Team Canada and the USSR?

The 1972 Summit Series marked a pivotal moment in Canadian sports history, as it was one of the first major international hockey competitions between Canada and the Soviet Union, sparking widespread national pride. It helped solidify the importance of hockey in Canadian culture.

Why do many Canadians remember where they were when Paul Henderson scored his goal in the 1972 Summit Series?

Paul Henderson's goal is considered one of Canada's first collective national experiences, as it brought together people across the country. The event was televised and many Canadians can recall not only where they were but also who they were with when the iconic goal was scored.

How does Sean Mitten's book '72 Memories' contribute to the narrative of the Summit Series?

Sean Mitten's book expands the narrative of the Summit Series by gathering diverse personal stories from Canadians, showcasing how the event impacted people in different ways, reflecting the broader significance of the series for the nation.

What is the connection between Scott Wraith and the 1972 Summit Series?

Scott Wraith has a personal connection to the series, as his parents attended the event in Moscow and returned with two hockey sticks, one belonging to Paul Henderson and the other to Brad Park. These sticks symbolize a personal and national memory tied to the victory.

What did Paul Henderson and Brad Park's sticks symbolize for Scott Wraith?

The sticks represent not only a personal memento for Scott Wraith but also a symbol of Canada's victory in the Summit Series. They embody the pride and significance of the moment in Canadian hockey history.

What does Bruce Kidd's book 'In the Shadow of the Summit Series' discuss?

Bruce Kidd's book, written 40 years ago, reflects on the anxiety surrounding Canadian hockey at the time, when there was concern that the country was losing control of the game to the United States, especially with the influence of NHL's American-based corporation.

Why was Canada's victory in the 1972 Summit Series so important?

Canada's victory was a significant achievement as it represented a victory for Canadian hockey over the Soviet Union at a time when the country was concerned about the loss of control over the game to American interests. It was seen as a confirmation that hockey was a Canadian game, not just an NHL game.

What unique perspective does Sean Mitten have on the 1972 Summit Series, living in the United States?

Living in the United States, Sean Mitten has a unique perspective on the significance of the Summit Series goal for Canada. While Americans have their own collective memories of events like 9/11, Canadians view the Summit Series as a unifying and positive moment in their history.

How did the 1972 Summit Series contribute to the sense of Canadian identity?

The Summit Series contributed to Canadian identity by creating a shared national experience that transcended regional differences. It reinforced the notion of hockey as a core part of Canadian culture and pride.

Why is the Summit Series still a topic of conversation and memory in Canada today?

The Summit Series remains a topic of conversation in Canada due to its deep cultural and emotional impact on the nation. The victory symbolized Canada's strength in the sport of hockey and became a defining moment in the country's sporting history.