Twenty-five of Canada's best junior players have made their way to Russia to help celebrate the 35th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series. Right now I almost have to pinch myself. I am so honoured to have an opportunity to broadcast the first-ever Canada/Russia Super Series which opens in Ufa, Russia on Monday.
The eight game set features the national junior teams of the world's two hockey powers. When you combine my greatest passions -- Canadian hockey & junior hockey -- and match the two countries who have met five of the last six years for global supremacy it's like a dream come true.
The '72 Series in so many is such a huge reason that I love this game so much. While the majority of the people I talk to were mixed on the idea I think it has a chance to be something very special.
Taking a look at the two rosters; I will not be the least bit surprised if this series comes down to the eighth and final game on September 9 in Vancouver. The Russians, unlike some other events, are taking this challenge very seriously. All my sources say they have been working out for at least a month, and feature seven returning players from last year's world junior silver medallist squad.
Our guys will have practised together for four days, and not played any games, while the Russians have staged two exhibition encounters this week against Super League opponents. So one would think, they might have the edge early on.
But Brent Sutter is guiding this Canadian contingent. I have watched him intensely the first two days of workouts here in Moscow and with every passing moment I know exactly why he has never lost a game behind the Canadian bench. The two time WJHC gold medallist has the utmost respect from everyone involved in Hockey Canada. He is demanding, and expects all that you are focused every second. But to watch him work a practice you understand very quickly that he has such a great feel for what needs to be accomplished and how to get it done.
Take Friday for example: Sensing his team was really sluggish from jet lag, midway through a 2.5 hour session he put the troups through a contact drill called 'the gauntlet'. The drill forces every player outside of the goalies to go down the boards and basically take punishment from all of their teammates. Why? Winning one-on-one battles at this level of play isn't a necessity, it is a must. You must pay the price to win, and must be prepared to play a role, that you might not on your respective club teams. While the players were exhausted, they had a blast, received some much needed energy from the drill, and enjoyed a much better second half of the workout.
No one enjoyed watching it more than Sutter. At one point he had one of the greatest smiles on his face I have ever seen. Yes, Brent smiles. And yes there is a reason why he has been the most sought after coach in junior hockey, and now the new bench boss of the New Jersey Devils. Does he really need to be here? Could he have pulled out after joining the Devils? You bet. But he didn't. Why he made a committment. The same type of committment he asks of his players, and the same reason I like his chances of being successful yet again leading our best youngsters into battle. I can not wait for this event to begin. It can't start soon enough.
By the way, if you ever get a chance to come to Moscow and tour Red Square -- in one word: Amazing.
Thanks for the insight Peter.
I am really looking forward to this series, not only because there hasn't been hockey since June, but because I too believe it can be something special.
Something tells me the first game could be a replay of the Summit Series. Once again, we are taking the Russians lightly. Not because we doubt their skill, but because we don't think they'll send their best team.
I have faith in Sutter though. Da da Canada, nyet nyet Soviet.
This is going to be some great hockey. There is no better man then sutter to get our boys ready and you know the boys are gonna be playing hard tough Canadian Hockey. Russia is going DOWN!!!!!
I believe that Canada will win the series,even though Russians have some very good hockey players.Our guys with Milan Lucis as a captain should be able to show some good hockey and show the world who is #1!
Go Canada!
International hockey is the only time Canada comes together as hockey fans. I'm looking forward to his. No money, no contracts, just national pride at stake.
Russia is going to be ready, and they're going to be tough. Each year they seem to adapt a more "Canadian" style to their game. Russian players are among the toughest in the NHL now. What's great about that, is Canada never seems to perform its best until there's adversity, and challenge, something to prove. The return of a Russian powerhouse could be the best thing for Canadian hockey.
I bet the NHL and NHLPA are starting to regret not taking Tretiak up on his idea - if not, they will by the end of it. Serves them right - It's great to see these kids put on our jersey before they've been influenced by the pro-sport business mentality.
Go! Canada! Go!
Hi Peter. Glad you made it to Russia. I hope you get a chance to have a look around. Looking forward to the series. I think Canada may have a harder time then we think. Will be watching first thing tomorrow with my team Canada hat. Hockey in August. Got to love it.
Later
Mike (from the gym)
I saw the live broadcast at six am this morning and it looks like the series will be very entertaining. Great hockey, sketchy goaltending (for both teams), and you could see that the intensity will only increase. I did have a problem concentrating on the game when the puck was in the corners because of those nice moves being performed on the stage where the goal judge usually resides though. I'd sure like to see that in the NHL.
Russia doesn't have a chance..
-Russia-Canada Jr series each year in Canada where Russia plays 2 games each against the OHL, WHl and QJMHL teams....
Canada has DOMINATED the russians....
the Russian coach did say he promised no cakewalk for Canada and surprises...
Unless he is Tarasov's long lost brother or son..I doubt it.
Perhaps the Russians might win one or even two... but overall as usual at the Juniour level we are WAY more physical and will wear the Russians down.
Give Russia 2-3 more years to reach our depth/toughness at JR.
As of right now...
GO CANADA GO!!!!!!!
I cannot wait till we get back in our barns... I can hear the Russians ordering their tissues right now.
Cheers.
Some one has got to help me out. I am Canadian but I live in china I am trying to find a radio station that has covetage of the game please help a canuck out people what station is covering it?
Just watched game 2(taped) and couldn't help noticing a comment Loubardias said about young Claude Giroux..I quote "He grew up in the Hearst minor hockey league. Just outside of Ottawa Ontario....SAY WHAT!!!! Hearst is about 1000 KM north west of Ottawa on Hwy 11. Now I know Canada and Ontario is very big but I don't think 1000 km is just outside of anywhere. He was right that Claude Giroux is the real deal, awesome moves. I am just upset that he got drafted by Philly. poor guy Lobardias doesn't know where his home town of Hearst is and Booby Clark didn't know his name when he drafted him. I am quite certain people will know who he is and where he is from after this series.
the russian team trained for a FULL MONTH and they haven't won a single game yet?! unreal, but i think it's amazing that team canada trained together for FOUR DAYS and, battling jetlag in Ufa, still found a way to win game 1, only to continue their dominance in canada..what doesn't make sense though, is that in russia, canada was considered the home team and with the series now in canada, russia is the home team...why is that?