When Canada Shut Down: 50th Anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series

It’s pretty rare that a country has a shared collective memory of events that happened fifty years prior. In 1972, the Summit Series was the first ‘best on best’ competition between the two hockey powerhouses, Canada and the Soviet Union. Canadians were so captivated by the games that it could be said that things basically shut down. The first two games were played on a Saturday in Montreal and a Monday in Toronto over a Labour Day weekend. It was imagined that there was such a focus on these games across Canada that robbers could have had a major bank heist and no one would know. The book’s intent is to share a broad and diverse collection of ‘72 stories that will be entertaining and educational and offer readers of all generations alternate points of view. The series had a significant impact on how hockey has changed over the last 50 years. The style of play has evolved, players are better conditioned and the NHL has new talent from Russia and Europe including star players Ovechkin, Kucherov, Vasilevskiy and Svechnikov. We have very unique perspectives that includes: - Interesting perspectives from the grandsons of Paul Henderson and Vladislav Tretiak - Interviews from game intermissions not seen in 50 years - Alternate description of events by the radio crew Bob Cole and Fred Sgambati. - Tales from the 3,000 adventurous Canadians who attended the games in Moscow - The incredible Carroll Castle diary. A Canadian in Moscow who wrote a daily journal - Previously unheard thoughts from the stick boy behind the Soviet bench - Heartfelt reflections by Soviet stars Vladislav Tretiak, Alexander Yakushev and Boris Mikhailov - Paul Henderson's favourite story ‘The Goal That Saved a Marriage’ and where he was when Sidney Crosby scored the ‘Golden Goal’ And much more! By the way, there was a heist, but you’ll have to read the book to learn about it.