The 1972 showdown between Canada and the Soviet Union was the first step toward hockey becoming a major international sport, he said at a golf fundraiser. I'm here.
Article Author:
Pat Hickey • Montreal Gazette
Former Montreal Canadiens defensive great Serge Savard said the Canada-Soviet Summit Series was a hockey said it was the first step towards becoming a major international sport.
"In 1972, hockey was the local game," Savard said Tuesday at the annual golf tournament at the Mirage in Terrebonne. told before. "95% of the players [in the NHL] were Canadian. There weren't any Europeans, there weren't any Russians, and the Americans were just starting to play well.
"Shortly after that, we I realized that we weren't the only ones on the ice, and I thought maybe we should reconsider how we train," said Savard. “When we came back, I remember Scotty Bowman trying new things. He was a pioneer trying something different and now hockey is international and players are
With the 50th anniversary of the Summit Series on the horizon,Sabad was one of five members of Le Mirage's Team Canada, alongside Marcel Dionne. , Peter Mahoric, Yvan Cournoyer and Guy Lapointe. And they all agreed that one moment stands out in their memories:
"Henderson scored a goal and in the last minute he was his took a 6-5 lead," Dionne said. "I looked at my watch and the score didn't change and I said, 'What's wrong?' It's a great goal," said Savard. "If you ask Ken Dryden, Pete Mahoric and Ivan Cournoyer, it's the highlight of our career, more than winning the Stanley Cup. It's something else."
Although the series was a battle between two very different political regimes, Mahovlich said there was a mutual respect between the rivals.
"There was a feeling that we weren't that different. It's sad to see what's going on in the world now that Russia is invading Ukraine," Mahorich said. Told.
The tournament also pays tribute to the late Guy his Lafleur and his teammates, including former linemate Steve His Shut and Jack Lemaire. many of them were participating.
Lafleur, who died on April 22 after a long battle with lung cancer, spearheaded a campaign to raise money for cancer research. He is co-chair of the fundraising campaign for the University Hospital of Montreal.
"Even at the end of his life, he continued to make a difference to people," Savart said.Two weeks before he died, we were still exchanging texts of his messages. Guy personally called and thanked those who donated $5,000 or more. It was very special. What I remember is his humility. He could talk to anyone, whether a star or a fourth-line player, and roll with us as his models Berivaux and Richards had done before him. , never refused to sign. He had the character of a great player.
One of his highlights from Tuesday night's dinner was legendary Quebec singer-songwriter Robert with his rendition of Charlevoix to Lafleur. A dedication song was introduced.
The third annual tournament is part of Savart's efforts to raise funds to support student-athletes at Sherbrooke University.
"The goal when he started this project was to raise $5 million, and three years later he was halfway there," said the 1986 Hockey Hall of Famer. Savard said. Provided approximately $300,000 in scholarships annually.
phkckey@postmedia.com
twitter.com/twitter.com
-
Mourners pay tribute to Guy Lafleur's athleticism and humanity
-
Stu Cowan: Guy Lafleur Was the Last Legend of the Canadiens
-
Summit Series, 40 Years Later: Red Fisher's Journey Back to Moscow 197
from Montreal Gazette, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Sign up to receive daily headline news.
Thank you for registering.
Welcome sending his mail. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder.
The next issue of the Montreal Gazette headline news will arrive in your inbox shortly.
