Coins and Canada - 2 dollars 2022 - 1972 Summit Series

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2 dollars 2022 - 1972 Summit Series

By Royal Canadian Mint | Thursday, 29 September 2022

Fifty years to the day since the last game was played in an epic clash between hockey superpowers, the Royal Canadian Mint is issuing a $2 circulation coin celebrating the triumph of Team Canada over the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics team (Team USSR) in the 1972 Summit Series.

Hockey is a defining aspect of our national Canadian identity, and in 1972 Team Canada helped inspire a generation of Canadians. This new circulation coin may be a small token, but I hope-fifty years later-that it might help to inspire another. And I'm pleased that the net proceeds from the sale of the collector coins commemorating the Summit Series will be donated to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal.

- Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

Many of Canada's commemorative circulations coins celebrate events that have united Canadians in pride and celebration. The 1972 Summit Series is just such an event, which is why we are proud to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this legendary hockey triumph on a circulation coin. The Summit Series is a compelling reminder of what Canadians can accomplish when they unite, work hard and persevere. I hope that this coin will inspire Canadians of all ages, genders and backgrounds, on the ice or in everyday life.

- Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint

The 1972 Summit Series was an eight-game contest between Canada and the USSR, with games scheduled across Canada and in Moscow. The finest hockey players, from the world's top hockey countries, would face off on the ice to finally determine who could claim the title of best hockey nation on earth.

Names like Esposito, Dryden, Makita, Cournoyer, Mahovlich, Clark, Henderson, Savard and Dionne filled out a star-studded line-up of NHL players. What was expected to be a rout for Canada turned into a nerve-wracking see-saw battle as the Canadian leg of the series opened with a stunning 7-3 Game One loss for the home team, followed by a win, a tie, and another loss to Team USSR in Game Four.

Fifty years ago I said that every one of us, all 35 guys, came out for Team Canada because we loved our country. We came because we loved Canada. Today, it holds true. Every one of us is proud of what we did as a team and what we did for our country. The team came together and, importantly to all of us, the country came together.

- Hall of Fame member Phil Esposito

With 3,000 home fans accompanying them to Moscow for the final four games, Team Canada began its comeback. Undeterred by a Game Five loss, the team bounced back in the next two match-ups to win through classic team work and a never-say-die attitude. The title was on the line by Game Eight, as 15 million Canadians tuned in to watch the final showdown. Down by two goals at the start of the third period, Team Canada never gave up. With the game tied 5-5 and only 34 seconds left before the final whistle, winger Paul Henderson fired a shot heard around the world: the series-winning goal. Hockey history was made and all of Canada rejoiced.

Canada's winning goal was the most important goal in hockey history. If you ask Ken Dryden, or Pete Mahovlich, or Yvan Cournoyer, it's the highlight of our career, even more than winning the Stanley Cups. It's something different. We did it for our country.

- Hall of Fame member Serge Savard

The reverse of the 50th Anniversary Summit Series $2 circulation coins was designed by Canadian artist Joel Kimmel. The inner core of the coin features two hockey players representing Team Canada. Set against the team's stylized maple leaf jersey emblem, two charging hockey players are framed by the words THE SERIES LA SÉRIE and 50 YEARS ANS. The coaches' initials and the jersey numbers of every player surround the core. The obverse still features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

Three million coins have been minted, of which two million feature a fully coloured inner core. These exciting new coins will gradually reach Canadians through their change as bank branches and businesses replenish their inventories of $2 circulation coins.

Team Canada roster for the 1972 Summit Series

Head Coach and General Manager (GM): Harry Sinden (HS on your coin)
Assistant Coach/GM: John Ferguson (JF)

Jersey #	Name	Position
1	Ed Johnston	G
2	Gary Bergman	D
3	Pat Stapleton	D
4	Bobby Orr	D
5	Brad Park	D
6	Ron Ellis	RW
7	Phil Esposito	C
8	Rod Gilbert	RW
9	Bill Goldsworthy	RW
10	Dennis Hull	LW
11	Vic Hadfield	LW
12	Yvan Cournoyer	RW
14	Wayne Cashman	LW
15	Red Berenson	C
16	Rod Seiling	D
17	Bill White	D
18	Jean Ratelle	C
19	Paul Henderson	LW
20	Peter Mahovlich	LW
21	Stan Mikita	C
22	Jean-Paul Parisé	LW
23	Serge Savard	D
24	Mickey Redmond	RW
25	Guy Lapointe	D
26	Don Awrey	D
27	Frank Mahovlich	LW
28	Bobby Clarke	C
29	Ken Dryden	G
32	Dale Tallon	D
33	Gilbert Perreault	C
34	Marcel Dionne	C
35	Tony Esposito	G
36	Richard Martin	LW
37	Jocelyn Guèvremont	D
38	Brian Glennie	D