Memories burn bright in Legends of Team Canada

Originally published on IHWC.NET in 2005

By Lucas Aykroyd

Some historical legends are so shrouded by time and hearsay that we barely know anything about their reality. Robin Hood, the siege of Troy, and the power play percentage of the 1893 Montreal AAA would fall into this category.

Other legends, however, skate among us to this day. And these are the ones that British Columbia-based hockey researcher Joe Pelletier honors in his latest book, Legends of Team Canada, which covers international competitions right through 2004.

Two of Pelletier’s subjects, Ryan Smyth and Martin Brodeur, are here in Austria representing their home and native land again. As the author points out in his opening, only one team truly claims the allegiance of Canadian hockey fans from coast to coast (despite what Leafs and Habs fans might like to believe): Team Canada. It’s a worthwhile reminder for fans who often prize the success of their local pro club above all else.

Pelletier’s selection of “legends of Team Canada” is interesting and nuanced. The expected, familiar names are there: Paul Henderson, Wayne Gretzky, Joe Sakic. But how about Bobby Orr? The legendary Bruins rearguard only played seven career games in the red and white uniform, during the 1976 Canada Cup. But despite his infamous knee problems, he dominated the tournament on what was arguably the strongest Canadian international team ever iced, and thus Pelletier justifies Orr’s inclusion.

Another name that jumps out is John Slaney. Non-Canadian fans who focus on the NHL or senior IIHF competitions have only a vague impression of this St. John’s, Newfoundland native. But although Slaney is now known as the all-time leading goal-getter among AHL defensemen, he first sprang to prominence at the 1991 IIHF World Junior Championship in Saskatoon. It was his slapshot from the point with under six minutes remaining that beat Soviet goalie Sergei Zviagin and gave Canada a dramatic 3-2 win to secure the gold medal. That moment also secured Slaney’s place in the book.

It’s also nice to see a detailed discussion of the roles Bill Ranford and Luc Robitaille played in claiming the 1994 IIHF World Championship for Canada, which marked its first such triumph in 33 years. And Seth Martin, whose goaltending impressed the Soviets in the 1960’s, receives his due in a section called “Father Bauer’s Nats.”

As in Pelletier’s previous book, The World Cup of Hockey, solid, detailed bios and game discussions make this text eminently readable. The coffee table-style, 96-page trade paperback is also highlighted by classic, sometimes obscure photos by Dan Hamilton. Steve Yzerman fans will get a kick out of seeing their hero wearing the captain’s C (!?!) at the 1991 Canada Cup.