Team Canada 1976: The biggest of all time?

Terrebonne | Serge Savard, for his annual golf tournament in Mirage, invited members of the 1976 Canadian team, who won the first Canada Cup. Almost 50 years later, it is unpretentious that representatives of the unifolié on the spot ruled that they probably trained the greatest formation in the history of hockey.

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Some will prefer the 1972 team to him, which won the series of the century against Russia in a dramatic way in a tense political and social climate.

Others will say that the memorable edition of 1987, with the Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, Raymond Bourque and Paul Coffey, to name a few monuments, was superior to him.

There are those who prefer more modern cuvées like that of the gold goal of Sidney Crosby, at the Vancouver Olympic Games in 2010.

The figures, however, strike the imagination concerning the 1976 team Canada. No less than 18 members led to the renowned temple. In total, these players equivalent to 107 Stanley cups and 138 stars games.

“It is open to the debate because there have been large teams, but in my opinion, it is the largest team of all time. The youngest will speak, for example, of 1987, but I do not think they had the same depth in defense.

“We had three players who dominated different times. Bobby Hull dominated in the late 1950s and the 1960s. Afterwards, Bobby Orr dominated the National League with eight Norris trophies. Then, afterwards, it was Guy Lafleur, who in turn dominated for five or six years, “argued Savard, commenting on the reunion in Terrebonne.

A great first

For the occasion, fifteen players have been gathered. There was even a rare visit as illustrates Bobby Orr, who unfortunately chose not to address the media.

All the other present legends have rather returned with a smile on the events of 49 years ago.

“It’s a jolt!” Time flies. It is very emotional for us to see us again, to see the banners and to realize that certain teammates have died. This tournament opened the eyes of the NHL guys on the international hockey side, “said Marcel Dionne.

Indeed, another argument which can militate in favor of the 1976 team is the fact that the Canada Cup was organized for the first time. Never before has a competition had brought together six countries on the hockey stage, Canada, the United States, Russia, Sweden, Finland and Czechoslovakia.

“People do not realize how important the team was. The 1972 series against the Russians is probably the most striking, but the 1976 tournament made it possible to open up to the world. It is thereafter that other sports such as basketball followed the example.

We don’t recognize our team enough. I don’t understand. Hockey Canada is not talking about it either and they didn’t do much for us. May God bless us! ”Used Pete Mahovlich.

Under the Bowman ferrule

Behind this team which won the great honors in the final against the Czechs, there was of course Scotty Bowman. The former coach, who will be 92 years old in a month, seemed moved to reconnect with his troops.

“In 50 years, I think it’s almost the first time I see all players. It’s incredible, there are only three players here who are not at the temple of fame, “he said, incredulous.

“It was not hard for me to lead because I had Steve Schutt, Guy Lafleur and Pete Mahovlich who had played together in Montreal. Darryl Sittler and Lanny McDonald had played together in Toronto, then I placed Marcel Dionne with them. And we bet on Bill Barber, Reggie Leach and Bobby Clarke, who formed one of the best lines in the history of the League in Philadelphia. This team was great, “he said.