The Series by Ken Dryden

The best against the best for the first time. Canada, the country that had created the game; the Soviet Union, having taken it up only twenty-six years earlier. On the line: more than the players, more than the fans, more than Canadians and Russians knew.

So began an entirely improbable, near-month-long series of games that became more and more riveting, until, for the eighth, and final, and deciding gameon a weekday, during work and school hours all across the countrythe nation stopped. Of Canada's 22 million people, 16 million watched. Three thousandmore were there, in Moscow, behind the Iron Curtain, singingDa da, Ka-na-da, nyet, nyet, So-vi-yet!

It is a story long told, often told. But never like this.

Ken Dryden, a goalie in the series, a lifetime observer, later a writer, tells the story in "you are there" style, as if he is living it for the first time. As if you, the reader, are too.

The series, as it turned out, is the most important moment in hockey history, changing the game, on the ice and off, everywhere in the world. As it turned out, it is one of the most significant events in all of Canada's history.

Through Ken Dryden's words, we understand why. (FromMcClelland & Stewart)

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Dryden was a goalie for the Montreal Canadiens in the 1970s, during which time the team won six Stanley Cups. He has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. His books include The Game, Home Game and Game Change.

Interviews with Ken Dryden

The 1972 Summit Series changed hockey forever | Ken Dryden

2 years ago

Duration 11:07

To mark the 50th anniversary of Game 8 of the Summit Series, NHL legend Ken Dryden shares his memories of playing in one of the biggest games in hockey history, and reflects on how it transformed the game.

Cross Country CheckUp: Ask me Anything with Ken Dryden

2 years ago

Duration 38:04

This week's Ask Me Anything is with Ken Dryden. The Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and politician answers your questions.

More about the Summit Series

Summit Series 50 years on - why does it endure Canada's psyche?

2 years ago

Duration 6:36

CBC News Network's Aarti Pole speaks to Dave Stubbs, columnist and historian with NHL.com

Hockey fan recounts travelling to Russia for '72 Summit Series

2 years ago

Duration 2:02

As the legendary Canada-Russia summit series turns 50, a fan who travelled all the way to Russia to watch the last four games recounts the moments from the legendary games.

Other books by Ken Dryden