Phil Esposito played for Canada when they finally returned to the 1977 World Championships after a 7 year dispute with the International Ice Hockey Federation. For the first time ever, Canada was allowed to bring NHL professional hockey players. Unfortunately, Canada struggled against the Soviets and had mixed results at the tournament.

Phil Esposito was the Canada's captain and assistant coach. His brother Tony Esposito was Canada's starting goalie. Assistant captains were Hall of Fame player Rod Gilbert and former Stanley Cup champion Carol Vadnais. Both Ron Ellis & Dallas Smith came out of retirement with the goal of making Canada's 1977 roster.

In the late 70s, the game of hockey was changing. More European players were being exposed to NHL players and scouts. During the 70s and early 80s, more European players were getting drafted and starting to find some success in North America. The NHL was starting to shift into the global brand we know today.

Canadian NHL players at the 1977 World Championships were integral for hockey’s next evolutionary steps. And from this historic journey, Canadian players have continually grown to find renewed pride and success while wearing their red maple leaf jersey on the international stage.

Sadly, many players from 1977's Team Canada have now passed away.

This video is meant to honour and remember the names, memories, and contributions from 1977's Team Canada — and their unique hockey legacy.

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Canada's 1977 Roster

Goal — Tony Esposito - Jim Rutherford

Defence — Carol Vadnais - Dallas Smith - Dennis Kearns - Phil Russell - Greg Smith - Rick Hampton

Centre — Phil Esposito - Pierre Larouche - Walt McKechney - Wayne Merrick

Left Wing — Ralph Klassen - Eric Vail - Al MacAdam - Guy Charron

Right Wing — Ron Ellis - Wilf Paiement - Jean Pronovost - Rod Gilbert

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Tournament Awards:

Best Goaltender — Göran Högosta (Swe)

Best Defenceman — Valeri Vasiliev (Sov)

Best Forward - Helmut Balderis (Sov)

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Media All-Star Team:

Goaltender
Göran Högosta (Swe)

Defence
František Pospíšil (Cze) - Valeri Vasiliev (Sov)

Forwards
Helmut Balderis (Sov) - Vladimír Martinec (Cze) - Vladimir Petrov (Sov)

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This video is a personal inquiry project and it is for educational and historic purposes only. I do not own the sound, artwork, logos, or imagery in this video. All material is under the copyright of their original holders. No copyright infringement is intended.

LINK:
[ Ссылка ]

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Intro 0:00

Making The Team 0:53

Exhibition Games 1:05

Final Selections 1:58

Roster 2:24

Pierre Larouche 2:27

Wilf Paiement 2:48

Phil Esposito 3:13

Ron Ellis 3:52

Ralph Klassen 4:22

Tony Esposito 4:45

Rick Hampton 5:09

Carol Vadnais 5:28

Phil Russell 5:47

Dennis Kearns 6:02

Greg Smith 6:16

Dallas Smith 6:32

Rod Gilbert 6:49

Wayne Merrick 7:04

Al MacAdam 7:22

Walt McKechnie 7:40

Eric Vail 7:53

Jean Pronovost 8:07

Guy Charron 8:20

Jim Rutherford 8:31

Canada's Soviet Problem 8:45

Medal Round 9:06

Eric Vail's Major Penalty vs Soviet Union 9:31

Exciting Last Day 10:01

Canada vs Czechoslovakia 10:26

Sweden vs Soviet Union 10:48

Göran Högosta 10:55

Roland Eriksson 11:02

Final Standings 11:16

1977's Legacy 11:39

Vulnerable Soviets 12:05

World Trends / International Game 12:41
Jiří Bubla
Ivan Hlinka
Miroslav Dvořák
Helmut Balderis
Rolf Edberg
Per-Olov Brasar
Kent-Erik Andersson
Pekka Rautakallio
Risto Siltanen
Stefan Persson
Hardy Åström
Bengt Lundholm
Lars Lindgren
Viacheslav Fetisov
Peter Šťastný

Canada Adjusts 13:25

Historic Steps 14:42

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