1974 Summit Series

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Regardless of results, the 1974 Summit Series between Team Canada and the Soviet Union brought credibility to the World Hockey Association (WHA).

Team Canada, stacked with WHA players, finished the eight game series with a 1-4-3 record . The Soviets had many of the same players from the team that narrowly lost the famous eight-game 1972 Summit Series to Canada’s best from the National Hockey League.

While no one knew what to expect in the ’72 Series, there were no surprises two years later. The Soviet roster again boasted goaltender Vladislav Tretiak and talented forwards Alexander Yakushev and Valeri Kharlamov.

Edmonton influence

Edmonton Oilers founder Bill Hunter was Team Canada’s general manager. In his autobiography Wild Bill, Hunter said a series with the Soviets was actually his original idea in 1971.

However, organizing the WHA for its first season in 1972-73 would take precedence over the series and the event would be postponed until 1974, he wrote. In the meantime, NHL Players Association boss Alan Eagleson got wind of the plan and took immediate action.

"He knew a good idea when he heard one, and he out-and-out stole it," wrote Hunter. "That [’72 Summit Series] became the most famous hockey series of all time. It should have been ours."

Star-studded roster

Bobby Hull, barred from playing in ‘72 after his departure to the WHA’s Winnipeg Jets, was the marquee member of Team Canada ‘74.

Three players from the ‘72 Series – Paul Henderson, Pat Stapleton and Frank Mahovlich – had jumped to the rival league and were thus eligible to play for Canada in ‘74. Gordie Howe, 46 at the time, was another big-name player.

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