Kyle Turris and the Important Rivalry
The sport of hockey is important to Canada. It’s more than a pastime – it’s a way of life. Much like football and baseball in the States, everything stops when thinking about significant rivalries and the chances to renew them.
In Russia, hockey also has a strong tradition. From the early days of the Soviet Union to the current defection of some former NHL players and coaches, Russian hockey has seen the ebb and flow of rebuilding towards preeminence that they once had.
The Red Army teams of the past intimidated some teams when they played them on the world’s stage, except for a hodgepodge of athletes in 1980 who truly believed that they could win the most important series of their lives.
Since 1972, Canada and the Soviet Union have fielded their elite teams to face each other. In 1972, it was called the Summit Series, and in 1987, the Canada Cup competition saw the likes of Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky, Dale Hawerchuk, and Mario Lemieux play on the same team (along with other significant players would become starts of the NHL who played for the Soviet squad).
35 years later, Phoenix Coyotes draft pick Kyle Turris will help to write the next chapter in these memorable competitions and the immensity they carry for both countries.
He is well aware of the tradition and of the rivalry.
“It’s huge. It’s a big part of Canadian history, for hockey. To have a
chance to carry on that tradition on the anniversary… it’s going to be an
experience I’ll never forget.”
Hopefully, the hype will translate to the competition on the ice. However, if I were in Canada, I’d watch it – just like everyone else.
If you want to check out some history, thanks to YouTube, you can click on the links below to see some action from the 1987 Canada Cup. Note, the clips are pretty long at nine minutes apiece, but still cool to watch.
Original post by PB
Join the discussion at The Locker Room Forum. Arizona Sports 24/7.
Posted by 
(Rate this post)
Loading ...Related Articles:
