Canada's First Decade Of Best-On-Best 1972-81

[frisco]

The first four, of what I consider best-on-best tournaments played by Canada, are the 1972 NHL Summit, 1976 Canada Cup, 1979 Challenge Cup and 1981 Canada Cup. I am leaving out the 1974 WHA Summit and the various games played by Russian elite teams versus individual NHL teams.

Back of the envelope numbers for some prominent (not comprehensive) Canadian players that played in at least two of the tourneys:

Gilbert Perreault 9-12 for 21 points in 16 GP (72-76-79-81)

Phil Esposito 11-9 for 20 points in 15 GP (72-76)

Guy Lafleur 4-14 for 18 points in 17 GP (76-79-81)

Mike Bossy 12-5 for 17 points in 10 GP (79-81)

Denis Potvin 3-13 for 16 points in 17 GP (76-79-81)

Bryan Trottier 4-9 for 13 points in 10 GP (79-81)

Marcel Dionne 5-7 for 12 points in 15 GP (76-79-81)

Bobby Clarke 3-6 for 9 points in 17 GP (72-76-79)


I've always argued that Perreault's international record is often overlooked. But you could make an argument that he was the top guy for Canada in the first decade of best-on-best hockey.

My Best-Carey

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[Crosby2010]

He arguably was the best forward for Canada in the 1976 Canada Cup. He was having a heck of a tournament in 1981 when he broke his foot. 9 points in 5 games I believe? Just awesome. Even in the two games he played in 1972 he got a point in each of them of the highlight reel fashion. I know Harry Sinden had his reasons but why they didn't play Perreault regularly in 1972 is a puzzler. His speed alone would have been a good asset against the Soviets.

 

[Albatros]

Perreault had 7 of his points in two games against Finland. So 14 points in 14 games against the somehow competitive teams.

 

[Namba 17]

NA players stats vs Soviet players

Players with more than 6 games who played at least two tournament were taken. I didn't take defensemen. WC were included as well. Edit. Tables were edited, because I forgot to add 1969 game to Perreault stats. Here are edited tables: Table 1. By PPG Player GP G A P PPG GPG 1 Lemieux 8 6...

forums.hfboards.com

 

[VanIslander]

Bossy's % is impressive; Clarke's isn't.

 

[Overrated]

The first four, of what I consider best-on-best tournaments played by Canada, are the 1972 NHL Summit, 1976 Canada Cup, 1979 Challenge Cup and 1981 Canada Cup. I am leaving out the 1974 WHA Summit and the various games played by Russian elite teams versus individual NHL teams.

Back of the envelope numbers for some prominent (not comprehensive) Canadian players that played in at least two of the tourneys:

Gilbert Perreault 9-12 for 21 points in 16 GP (72-76-79-81)

Phil Esposito 11-9 for 20 points in 15 GP (72-76)

Guy Lafleur 4-14 for 18 points in 17 GP (76-79-81)

Mike Bossy 12-5 for 17 points in 10 GP (79-81)

Denis Potvin 3-13 for 16 points in 17 GP (76-79-81)

Bryan Trottier 4-9 for 13 points in 10 GP (79-81)

Marcel Dionne 5-7 for 12 points in 15 GP (76-79-81)

Bobby Clarke 3-6 for 9 points in 17 GP (72-76-79)


I've always argued that Perreault's international record is often overlooked. But you could make an argument that he was the top guy for Canada in the first decade of best-on-best hockey.

My Best-Carey

Did you leave out the games against CSSR and Sweden in 72 as well?

I think it makes no sense to leave out various tournaments if we're talking about individual players. I understand that if you are comparing countries' results you don't want to consider results when one of the countries played on a significantly undermanned team.

For example Hull played against the best USSR CSSR and Sweden had to offer in 74 despite the fact his team wasn't an all stars team Canada. No need to ignore those when for example assessing the international strength of Bobby Hull...

 

[MadLuke]

No need but it is made somewhat by hands, it can be much faster to limit it to specific tourney

Gretzky 12 pts match or beat some of the listed player

 

[frisco]

Did you leave out the games against CSSR and Sweden in 72 as well?

I did with the reasoning that these games didn't "count" toward a larger tournament end result. Then, again I can see the argument to include them.

My Best-Carey