Canada Cup (hockey)

Canada Cup (hockey)

Following the exciting 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the Soviet Union, interest in a world professional ice hockey championship increased substantially. The Canada Cup would bring together the top hockey-playing countries in the world.

It was held in 1976, 1981, 1984, 1987 and 1991. It featured competition between national teams of Canada, Czechoslovakia, Finland, , the Soviet Union, Sweden, and the United States. All the tournaments were won by Canada except the 1981 tournament, which was won by the Soviet Union. The 1987 event is referred to as one of the most spectacular in hockey history.

There have been only 8 world professional hockey championships in history:

Year Gold Silver Bronze Tournament

1972* Canada USSR Summit Series

1976 Canada Czechoslovakia USSR Canada Cup

1981 USSR Canada Czechoslovakia Canada Cup

1984 Canada Sweden USSR Canada Cup

1987 Canada USSR Sweden Canada Cup

1991 Canada USA Finland Canada Cup

1996** USA Canada Russia World Cup

2002*** Canada USA Russia Olympics

Year	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Tournament
1972*	Canada	USSR		Summit Series
1976	Canada	Czechoslovakia	USSR	Canada Cup
1981	USSR	Canada	Czechoslovakia	Canada Cup
1984	Canada	Sweden	USSR	Canada Cup
1987	Canada	USSR	Sweden	Canada Cup
1991	Canada	USA	Finland	Canada Cup
1996**	USA	Canada	Russia	World Cup
2002***	Canada	USA	Russia	Olympics

In 1972, only Canada and the Soviet Union played in the Summit Series.
In 1996, the Canada Cup was replaced by the World Cup of Hockey.
In 2002, NHL players were allowed to play in the Olympics for the first time.