From 1952 to 2002: An Olympic Odyssey—Page 2

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Mercurial Experience

The 2002 triumph rekindled memories of the Mercurys, who struck gold 50 years earlier in Oslo, Norway. Five surviving members of that famed 1952 team were in Salt Lake City.

The Mercurys were the last senior team to represent Canada internationally. After returning home, their players talked about the future strength of European hockey.

The Mercurys faced off against the U.S. in their eighth and final game of the 1952 Olympics. The Canucks had already won seven games, so a 3-3 tie against the Americans clinched the gold. Bill Dawe, Lou Secco and Don Gauf notched goals for the Mercurys.

A Different Era

After returning from Norway, the Mercurys were given a motor parade through Edmonton.

"People turned out for the parade only because they were given a half-day holiday," former player Al Purves recalled in Terry Jones’s Edmonton Hockey Knights. "I could see it on their faces. They were saying, ‘Who the hell are they?’"

That question was answered again in 2002.

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