I’ve always had a soft spot for the 1972 Canadian team from the Summit Series against the Soviet Union. It was my first encounter with a true best-on-best showdown. But it wasn’t just about hockey—it symbolized something much bigger: East versus West, free world versus communism. The stakes felt immense, and the significance stretched far beyond the rink.
Was it really the best team ever assembled? I’d argue it wasn’t the strongest lineup Canada could have iced. Bobby Orr—arguably the greatest to ever play—was sidelined by injury. Bobby Hull, the most feared shooter of his era, was left out because of his move to the WHA.
Hull wasn’t the only casualty of the WHA exodus. Gerry Cheevers, J.C. Tremblay, Jacques Laperriere, and Derek Sanderson had all originally been named to Team Canada, only to be dropped after signing with the WHA. NHL President Clarence Campbell drew a hard line, insisting that only players under NHL contracts could participate. Even Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau couldn’t convince NHL ownership to reverse course.
When it comes to the greatest team ever assembled, I always find myself torn between two iconic squads—constantly flipping back and forth over which one truly deserves the crown. But there is also a third team that deserves a lot of attention.
Team Canada – 1976 Canada Cup
It was the inaugural Canada Cup – a true best on best tournament that featured teams from the United States, Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Finland and Sweden joining Canada.
That Canadian roster boasted an all-star lineup of defensemen—a true who’s who of hockey legends: Orr, Denis Potvin, Guy Lapointe, Serge Savard, Larry Robinson, and Jim Watson.
Canada’s firepower up front was just as formidable. The forward group featured a dazzling array of talent: Hull, Phil Esposito, Gilbert Perreault, Darryl Sittler, Marcel Dionne, Guy Lafleur, Rick Martin, Bobby Clarke, Steve Shutt, Reggie Leach, and more—each capable of turning a game on its head.
Rogie Vachon took the net and played in every game.
That powerhouse roster included 18 future Hockey Hall of Famers. Team Canada posted a dominant 7–1 record, including a commanding 4–1 performance in the round robin, where they lit the lamp 22 times and surrendered just 6. They capped it off by sweeping Czechoslovakia in the best-of-three final.
Canada’s only loss came during the round robin stage against Czechoslovakia, who edged them out with a 1–0 victory. Goaltender Vladimír Dzurilla was stellar for the Czechs, and Milan Nový scored the game-winning goal late in the third period.
Team Canada – 1987 Canada Cup
Canada had a defense with the likes of Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey, Larry Murphy, Normand Rochefort, Craig Hartsburg, James Patrick and Doug Crossman.
Leading the charge up front were the game’s two premier talents: Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Backing them was a deep cast of elite forwards including Mark Messier, Dale Hawerchuk, Rick Tocchet, Michel Goulet, Glenn Anderson, and a host of other offensive threats.
Grant Fuhr guarded the net for the entire tournament.
Canada’s 1987 roster featured 12 future Hockey Hall of Famers—a testament to its star-studded depth. They went unbeaten in the round robin, collecting three wins and tying both Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union. In the semi-final, they overcame the Czechs, setting the stage for an epic best-of-three final against the Soviets. Each game ended with a dramatic 6–5 score line, including thrilling overtime and double-overtime finishes in the first two games, with Canada ultimately claiming the series 2–1.
While the 1976 team was superior on paper, on ice results and in individual player success, 1987 was definitely more entertaining with more parity among the teams than in 1976.
Soviet Union – 1980
Yes, I remember the 1980 Miracle on Ice vividly. Even the greatest hockey teams stumble eventually, and for the Soviet squad, their misstep came at the worst possible time. That lineup was a powerhouse, stacked with legends like Valeri Kharlamov, Boris Mikhailov, Alexander Maltsev, Vladimir Petrov, Helmuts Balderis, Vladimir Krutov, Sergei Makarov, Alexei Kasatonov, and Slava Fetisov. And guarding the net was none other than the iconic Vladislav Tretiak.
Back in the ’80s, those names didn’t resonate with the average North American hockey fan—and truthfully, I didn’t fully grasp what I was witnessing at the time. It wasn’t until years later, when I had the chance to look back and really study that Soviet team, that I understood just how extraordinary those players were. Had they been given the opportunity to play in the NHL, we would have recognized their greatness much sooner. They weren’t just good—they were among the best in the world.
The 1980 Soviet Union hockey team is often regarded as one of the most formidable groups of athletes ever assembled—not just in hockey, but in any sport. Their dominance was not born from luck or fleeting talent; it was built on years of disciplined training, tactical precision, and exceptional skill nurtured by a centralized system that treated hockey like a science.
Under coach Viktor Tikhonov’s authoritarian style, the team trained relentlessly, sometimes isolating players in barracks for months. Their strategy emphasized puck control, seamless passing, and fluid movement, which often made North American systems look rigid by comparison. The Soviets didn’t just play hockey; they orchestrated it like a symphony.
Dom - Hockey 