Gretzky to Lemieux: The Story of the 1987 Canada Cup

By Ed Willes

Book Overview

Gretzky, Lemieux, Messier, Coffey, Fuhr, all on the same team -- in their prime. The greatest collection of hockey talent ever assembled, playing the games of their lives. Three epic 6-5 contests between Canada and the Soviet Union decided the '87 Canada Cup. Canada evened the series, after the Soviets won Game 1, when Gretzky's fifth assist of the game set up Lemieux's hat trick, ending Game 2 in double overtime. Game 2 is widely considered one of the greatest hockey games ever played. With time running out in Game 3, after Canada battled back from a 3-0 deficit, Team Canada coach Mike Keenan sent the Gretzky / Lemieux / Hawerchuk line on the ice for a faceoff in Canada's end. The rest is history as Gretzky, Lemieux, and Larry Murphy rushed up the ice, Gretzky skating on the left wing, setting up Lemieux's game-winner in the slot with 1: 26 left in the game. Gretzky's pass to Lemieux, followed by Lemieux's goal, is one of the most memorable plays in hockey history. Gretzky to Lemieux captures the on-ice drama that led to the historic three-game final, and the stories behind it. Ed Willes adds depth and weight to the games by revealing the rebellion among Soviet hockey stars in the early days of Glasnost and a crumbling Soviet Union; the trouble brewing for Alan Eagleson; the ascendancy of Mario Lemieux; and the end of the glorious Gretzky era in Edmonton. Packed with interviews of players and coaches, Gretzky to Lemieux tells the full story of the greatest hockey ever played.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0771089422
• ISBN13: 9780771089428
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.1" x 1.0" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Great book, couldn't put it down!

If you are a hockey fan this book's for you! There will never be another hockey tournament again like the Canadian-Russian series of 1987 and this book captures all the action and behind the scenes drama of what is considered by many as the best and most exciting hockey series ever played. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and if you have any interest in the sport of hockey, you will too!

Quick read and very enjoyable

You owe it to yourself to check this out if you're a hockey nerd who loves the history of the game like I do.

A Canadian Hockey Delight

As part of the trip to Canada, it was on the menu to read a good hockey book. I purchased this book before the trip in hopes of it being a worthy read. It is always disappointing to read bad material on vacation. Fortunately, this book did not disappoint. I remember this Canada Cup as a child. Unclear memories, but a hazy moment stands out. I remember the goal. I was just a child, but it left a mark of Canadian Hockey pride. We beat the Russians. This book took me back to childhood. It took me back to simpler time in hockey. Ken Dryden states that the best hockey was played during our childhoods. This was the time of the biggest stars. This book left me with chills at moments. It is a Canadian hockey fan's delight.