March 27, 2024 Winnipeg, Manitoba Parks Canada
Thirty-four seconds left on the clock of the final game in a tied series between Canada and the Soviet Union… during that moment in the iconic 1972 Summit Series, you could hear a puck drop. Paul Henderson scores and all of Canada goes wild! With heart and passion, this intense match-up brought together millions of Canadians to support and cheer on Team Canada.
Today, Parliamentary Secretary Kevin Lamoureux commemorated the national historic significance of the 1972 Summit Series with a special ceremony to unveil a plaque at the Hockey for All Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The announcement was made on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault.
The 1972 Summit Series between national hockey teams from Canada and the Soviet Union was the first time that Canadian professional hockey players faced the Soviet Union's national team. The first four games took place in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver, respectively, before heading to the Soviet Union for the final four games.
Taking place in the context of the Cold War, the series was unusually intense. Mirrored in two very different styles of hockey was a culture clash between two nations with very different political systems. The Soviet Union played a disciplined team game, with fast skating, crisp passing, and an emphasis on strategy, while the Canadians emphasized shooting, forechecking and bodychecking. The final game of this intense series is still considered one of the greatest moments in Canadian sports history.
The Government of Canada, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizes significant people, places, and events that shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians of all ages connect with their past. The designation process under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,200 designations have been made nationwide.
National historic designations illustrate the defining moments in the story of Canada. Together, they tell the stories of who we are and connect us to our past, enriching our understanding of ourselves, each other, and our country. Heritage places provide a wide range of cultural, social, economic, and environmental benefits to their communities.
