Canada has now won a staggering 73% of all best vs best tournaments ever played.
- Thread starter Peiskos
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jigglysquishy
Registered User
They were invitional, but the best countries got invited.
6 in the Canada Cups. Equivalent of 7 now with Czechoslovakia being one team.
Top 6 countries were chosen in 1976. West Germany took Finland's place in 1984 because of the WC performance.
1996 and 2004 World Cup both had 8 teams.
All are very different than non national teams (NA under 23/team Europe) or removing the number 3 hockey country.
The biggest issue is artificially restricting rosters. 1976 was advertised as the first best on best since every player, regardless of league or amateur status, was eligible.
In 2025 only NHL players were eligible.
RED ARMY EAST
Registered User
I would remove the 72 series, as this was between two countries only.
Also, No WHA players played in it, including Bobby Hull.
Orr didn't participate due to injury.
Fatass
Registered User
- Apr 17, 2017
- 25,097
- 16,718
Russia hasn’t been a powerful team in a long time. They have no centres and weak D. They were once great but not anymore.
Canada
USA
Sweden
Finland
Russia.
Also to this point, I believe the 2004 World Cup had invitations extended to those who were top 8 in the IIHF world rankings at the time. I wouldn't know anything about anything prior to that though, since I didn't start watching hockey until 2001.
jigglysquishy
Registered User
Injuries are part of hockey.
Lemieux was hurt in 96. Still best on best.
But telling management certain players are ineligible, that makes it not best on best.
Hull was Canada's best or second best forward in 1972. Wasn't allowed to play.
Gerry Cheevers would have likely made the team, but unlikely he plays. Bernie Parent might have played.
JC Tremblay likely would have been a third pairing defenceman.
Canada won, yes, but it was a big controversy to not allow a major star like Hull to play.
RED ARMY EAST
Registered User
I agree, but Canada has more options than most when it comes to depth.
The backend should look different with Petrangelo, Theodore and Morrissey and lot's of options with Scheifle,Bedard...
RED ARMY EAST
Registered User
Agree, everyone deals with injury.
Although 72 was not a best on best tournament, It was without question the best two teams in the World, so it could be classified as a Best on Best.
RED ARMY EAST
Registered User
Some of this is contrarian just for the sake of being contrarian.
Really? No Slovakia and their 7 NHLers led by Tomas Tatar?
jigglysquishy
Registered User
No Russia in 2025 is the major reason.
They are likely ahead of Sweden and Finland.
Fatass
Registered User
- Apr 17, 2017
- 25,097
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