Phil Esposito candid about 1972 Summit Series anniversary

[@Classicrocker6119]

The leadership displayed by Phil in 1972 can never be underestimated. His honesty and passion is unparalleled.

[@joeyjo-joshabadu9636]

NHL needs more guys like Phil Esposito who have the guts to speak their mind and tell it like it is.

[@loulfw2513]

you mean like to get rid of Bettman, who has made some improvements but otherwise destroyed the game for classic fans?

[@marquefan1]

We need more Canadians to have the guts and speak their mind.

[@matthewhanf3033]

Too bad anyone that speaks their mind gets banned. Freaking stupid

[@VicDiniMagic]

What a great interview. Phil was always a straight up guy. Awesome

[@bleewicket]

Very happy that Phil made it to the 50th anniversary! Espo is awesome, long life and health to him!!

[@mane4209]

But he didn't get to see the Russians, because of the war :(

[@JOHNWLOUCKS]

as an American and a hockey fan/player I cared a great deal about the series and so did many of my friends. Phil was amazing !

[@halwarner3326]

Speaking as an American who was 15 in 1972, that series was so inspirational, beyond words.

[@oatis053]

Life long Blackhawks fan here, and these guys deserve all the accolades they can get. I was 19 when this series was played, and I will never forget it!

[@Because-qx3wr]

He always gives a great interview. I could listen to him read a phone book.

[@Catonian1]

How great is Espo? I can't think of many athletes that speak w. this kind of honesty and candor. A true great, on and off the ice.

[@hanksnow2]

+Catonian1 - Yes & don't forget he also said "I would have killed to win that series". Just googled it & found this,...."But there's no doubt in my mind that I would have killed to win."...& don't forget this,...HE MEANT IT!!!

[@JohnCee754]

One thing is very very clear -- we would not have won that 1972 series without the iron will, guts and determination of this man. Others (Henderson, Cournoyer, Peter M, Savard, Tony O, etc) made huge contributions, but Espo carried the team on his back. As a life-long Habs fan, I've always hated the Bruins -- but I've admired Phil Esposito ever since "the speech" that he did live on TV after Game Four in Vancouver. He's right -- it may not have been that big a deal to the team, really, but it did galvanize the fans and made us look at ourselves. Epic series! And a great interview.

[@andrelebaron]

+JohnCee754 Vancouver's always been a bitch town.

[@bobjones3074]

Never would have won the series without his brother Tony period. Screw everyone else without Tony they lose every game

[@Contraa]

Uh... you state it like a fact. :P

[@hanksnow2]

+johnCee754 - WRONG,...we would not have won the series without putting the Great Kharlamov out of the series. So, Bobby Clarke gets the most important player on Canada, & 2nd, John Ferguson who gave him the order.

[@michaelboisvert7821]

It would have been nice to see what would have happened if Valeri Kharlamov would not have been flagrantly injured by that most loathsome of hockey players, Bobby Clarke. Bobby Clarke is what is worst in sportsmanship.

[@patbrennan6572]

The best speaker the hockey world has ever known, great to hear from ya Phil.

[@philoats1738]

Espo is the best. he used to co-host a daily show on satellite radio which i could not get enough of. i've certainly never felt that way about any other sports broadcaster. the guy does not lie. when asked questions he answers them. with personality and honesty! that is so rare in the world of sports interviews. sports interviews these days is mostly reporters asking questions they already know the answers to. ah, the 1970s, the glory days for all of it; music, sports, movies, and personalities.

[@HardRockMiner]

Phil never had problems telling it like it is. We love ya Phil.

[@СоколовАндрей-т9х]

Я русский и тоже его люблю, он и Пол Хендерсон, показали нашим ребятам, что нужно играть до последней секунды!

[@ronbonora7872]

Phil was our leader in 72. He lead the charge to come back and win the series. A true hall of fame player. A big competitor in all big games.

[@hippy1002]

He should be P.M. of Canada

[@johnsambo9379]

The charge of fighting and cheating to win?

[@JayRay-zv7hd]

The past tense of lead is led.

[@ejomamma6234]

Phil still is, and always was a character, you have to agree with that, and that's what makes him great, like Bobby and Brett Hull, they speak their mind, and people should listen, and if you don't agree, that's okay also, but they truly speak from the heart, and as long as that happens, you can't go wrong. A great interview with some great questions, and quite obviously, greater answers from Phil.

[@jimmycoscia2539]

I could listen to Espo all day...no filter. Love it!!

[@Rammer6719]

Phil in grade 7 I didn’t know much about politics but you and your teammates put on the best series I’ve ever watched in my life. Be proud, you were a leader of the best team Canada of all.

[@johnsambo9379]

Soviets proved to be better in the later series that the Canadians didn't cheat in.

[@thetruthhurts6652]

I remember when I was 6 he came to our school, talked to our class and then he gave everyone an autograph. He seemed like a giant. He still is.

[@zeppelinmexicano]

What a guy to have a beer with! Honesty counts.

[@turkturkleton2671]

Ive been all over the world. What he said right from 5:58 on is COMPLETELY TRUE, people are people, the only difference is a bit of politics and the language. Wow what a great statement Espo!

[@chipgriffiths3655]

Maybe USA will have someone so eloquent and candid and great about hockey like Phil Esposito. He is so candid in today's PC world, he is refreshing.

[@Lava1964]

Espo was always a great interview. He spoke his mind.

[@stevenvirgilio7295]

Esposito was determined and played his best hockey ever- Thank you Phil

[@TR-vr5pz]

This American cared deeply about the series - it was Team North America against Russia - pure and simple. Thanks for your efforts and candor Phil - youre the best!!!

[@chriskroell6956]

Made reservations for Phil when he was staying at the Hilton along with Rollie’s Fingers, funny funny guys, and very good tipper, total class.

[@dennis9707]

Its refreshing to listen to him speaking. And seeing him always brings back fond memories for me of his years as a Bruin here in Massachusetts. And yes Phil we're all getting older, it sure goes by fast looking back.

[@Exotic3000]

Phil Esposito was always 100% honest! He was also a prophet. In the last 2 weeks we lost Tony Esposito and Rod Gilbert.

[@RoadTripzz14]

Phil is always interesting and candid. Epic hockey lifer.

[@darrendarren4246]

I love Phil. Shoots from the hip and the mouth. Just tells it as he sees it. I was only 7 years old and watched every game. My dad wouldn’t let me miss a game at any time of the day. Had lots of respect for Russian team. Since that day I have never doubted Canadian hockey is the best in the world.

[@mr.invisable6919]

Class act. He and Bobby Orr made me a Bruins fan for life.

[@TheDiamondlou]

Tell it like it is Phil! You da man!

[@robertmcdiarmid6253]

Watch the last games - in 1972, Phil Esposito was the best hockey player in the world. Imagine getting into shape almost overnight to compete with and ultimately beat the Soviets.

[@dandyer2616]

Thanks for that Phil..an unbelievable memory

[@jessemossberg8108]

Fantastic interview & comments from a true stand-up guy. No sports trade ever shocked me more than 11/7/75: Espo to the Rangers and Park (Park!) to Boston. Jean Ratelle and Carol Vadnais were also involved, but it was Espo & Park that stunned.

[@Lava1964]

Excellent post. Espo could always be counted on to speak his mind.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

What a terrific leader Mr. Esposito is 🥰🍁🦫

[@percys9427]

What an honest Man!!!!

[@fleurafricaine5740]

Surprising that the PR and the Team Canada preparation for the 1972 Summit Series were so poor. That game 1 in Montreal was a revelation to the Canadians of USSR capabilities illustrated the complete non-existence of scouting, communication, international perspective, and humility.

[@robbender4129]

A true hockey legend...on and off of the ice...just a cool guy who tells it like it is...Canada's a better place because of Phil

[@darrellstewart4317]

Esposito is a classic.I love how honest he is.

[@DARK24-7]

Mr.Esposito great player,and class a-1 gentleman!

[@warrior4christ777]

Still please let me apologize for all of Canada okay I was eight years old when that game was played and when you guys were I think I got in trouble for sitting by the bedroom door to here you guys play. while guys I was so happy you guys made me into the man I am today thank you

[@GrikWorldNomad]

Esposito was incredible throughout the series

[@brucknerian9664]

Esposito and Henderson each seven goals ... stupendous effort, made the difference.

[@fleurafricaine5740]

Yakushev also played brilliantly with as many points as Phil. Probably explains why they bonded in the reunions.

[@СоколовАндрей-т9х]

Эспозито-- Браво!!!! Помню Всегда! Лучший Центр!

[@tsh847]

Ну да, всем показал, как нужно играть на пятачке. Даже не представляю, как он выносил все. Наверное, каждый матч получал по ногам и за себя, и за того парня. Приятный мужик, взгляд у него добрый и открытый. Уважаемый джентльмен. И вообще, здорово они тогда придумали с сериями матчей между лучшими сборными в мире на тот момент, без всяких олимпийских ограничений. Пересматриваю иногда и болею за хоккей. Неважно, кто больше забил, для меня плохих там не было. Конечно, и родная машина была шикарна, и канадцы лютую хватку показали после шока первых матчей в '72 и сыграли на полную катушку во второй половине серии. Эх, в HD бы этот праздник...

[@georgeveg5148]

Always loved Espo. An all time favorite.

[@nthdegree1269]

Some interesting comments here. Something that hit me for the first time. He said it wasn't team Canada but team 'NHL' Very true. Bobby Hull if anyone, should have been there representing Canada.

[@fleurafricaine5740]

True. But no Bobby Orr on the team was a real shame. The Russians had 2 or 3 guys also that should have played.

[@nthdegree1269]

@@fleurafricaine5740Agreed. It's too bad, it would have been something to see.

[@darkoanton5]

Serge Savard went undefeated in that series. He was 4-0-1.

[@tdshaker]

PEspo was one of the greatest NHL forwards I ever saw, ( I am 70) even to this day. He never got the respect from NoAmerican fans that he deserved. The Russians respected him a lot. But ESPO, you do dot know about USA fans, please do not say that no one gave a hoot in the USA about (aboot) all that you did and proved in 1972. We were all glued to the crappy TV broadcast. WE loved you! You were playing for us too.

[@fentonhardy8176]

+tdshaker I agree. I live in Michigan, and I was glued to my set the entire Series, I had returned from Vietnam a year Before, and i had grown up playing hockey and man the Jubilation when Henderson scored was erupted in my house!

[@jocolope]

Crappy tv broadcast? That was first live international wireless satellite tv broadcast feed apple pie eaters. Its a little bit better in 2016.

[@burtmann3921]

Phil and Tony the 2 classiest brothers in hockey.

[@williamlacombe5818]

Peter mahovelich.i was a 12 yr old kid in 72 from Boston and that Pete MAHOVELICH was so big and strong and good .I don't know how he wasn't one of the biggest stars of the times I can only think it was the Montreal system that held him from absolute greatness

[@garysimard5674]

I love how Phil straightens the reporter out. They keep repeating a line and they think its true and then the person who was actually there and part of the team (big part) tells him no, you're not right. I bet that reporter will still say what he said despite Phil telling him the truth.

[@MsSmitty9]

Read his book. You want to hear honesty , just read his book. I met him a few years back and asked him if he really said what he said to the Rusky coach. He laughed and said Absolutely. I got his autograph in my Book and will cherish it till the day I die.

[@arfshesaid4325]

ok you got me , what did he say?

[@delcaplette7676]

God he played like a king in 1972....his whole life he was a king and a real man.

[@mariaedwards8494]

What a legend, but such a human being, could imagine him in a pub with a pint

[@colkilgore100]

Phil was a rock, a giant, the fearless leader of the Canadians. He delivered on the ice where it counts most, and also in the dressing room and on the street. He is truly a national hero and should be treated as such. The Lion Of Moscow.

[@danieldydzak691]

A great canadian !

[@perryjohnehses3911]

What a great speaker and a great Bruin and that's comin from a Flyer Fan.

[@greenman7612]

Same here. I hated the Bruins being a Flyer fan but have ultimate respect for Phil and a lot of their players.

[@PreacherAtArrakeen]

I still remember how he slipped on a rose in Russia, got up, and took a bow, lol.

[@jocolope]

Phil and his brothers in hockey gear are class acts...

[@allistontennis]

he is from the soo... and was the best team canada player in 72... period. Central park!! ssm.

[@thetruthhurts6652]

To bad the Soo never treated him right. I remember the racial slurs against him when he played.

[@mariovaccarella6854]

How true, especially since Brother Tony Esposito is Gone.

[@erikpeterson25]

I thought that series was awesome....very impressed with the Russian style of play...glad I was alive to witness it...did not miss a Bruins game back in late sixties and early seventies.....WSBK Channel 38....bought a small black and white TV with UHF Reception just to watch the games.. So there was this American that cared about the series...thought it was awesome to see ... Great to see Phil being frank about things....saw him being interviewed during the games many times back in the day....with sweat pouring down and a white towl... Plymouth Massachusetts then ...now in Bingham Maine working on a GOAL 🙂 CHEERS

[@Fultoncards]

Had we lost, the series would not have been remembered. Like all wars, it's Victor's War. We would have played them again with Howe, Orr, etc. And that is the series that would have been remembered. And Bobby Orr probably would have gotten the winning goal, and been more celebrated than he already is. All this said, Espo is the best interview ever.

[@MikeLike8]

Fultoncards , respectfully disagree. This would have been a crushing blow remembered forever. Game 8 the deciding game had all Canadian schools watching the game, nobody was on the streets, everyone watched game 8, people took TV sets to work. it was our way of life versus theirs as Frank Mahovlich was quoted as saying to his teammates. Years ago on a flight in Europe a gentleman next to me, who grew up in Russia asked me if I recollected the 72 Series. He admitted the crushing feelings Russian people had losing that series to Canada and how everyone tuned in to game 8. I was thrilled to meet the gentleman, he wanted to know how big was this in Canada....when I told him I watched like virtually every Canadian game 8, me in a gymnasium with 200+ other kids and how it meant the world to me and other Canadian’s, he felt confirmed this was the greatest hockey series in memory as I did. I would have never forgot if we lost, no way, this would never have happened like 72 game 8 ever again.

[@rfkyt]

Thank you Espo

[@garthfriedberg5666]

Great interview. I rember Espo he rarely missed the net and he scored on a lot of rebounds from Bobby Orr.

[@davidyoung8875]

phil is such great canadian

[@JTDutch]

... If I recall correctly, Bobby Orr wasn't medically cleared to play in the '72 series, as he needed the down time to rest his knees. Otherwise, everything that Esposito is saying here is spot-on.

[@5inthehole]

Orr had surgery on his left knee shortly after the playoffs and was unable to play. To this day, I believed, he says it one of the biggest disappointments of his career that he couldn't play in the 1972 Canada Cup. In 76 the Dr. Told him to rest his knee (which by then was in bad shape) but he wasn't going to miss another Canada Cup. He played and it shortened his NHL career.

[@Contraa]

Other than the fact that he claims they would've won Games 2-8. That's highly questionable. Also, if you play the "coulda woulda" game, USSR would've had Firsov, Davydov, and, somewhat importantly, Tarasov.

[@arfshesaid4325]

@@Contraa That style would have played right into Bobbys wheelhouse, the Russians would have had to actually game plan for him every time he got on the ice. Not playing somewhat physical against Orr would have spelt disaster for the Russians. A real unfortunate deal for the greatest of all time, he would have been a real game changer like usual

[@williamcurtin5692]

My favorite bumper sticker ever: "Jesus Saves! And Esposito scores on the rebound!"

[@billyrock8305]

Why not donate the trip costs and proceeds to charity Espo? Such as poor kids who can’t afford hockey equipment. Hard not to love Espo. Guts and speaks his mind. A Canadian legend and hero.

[@dennis9707]

God bless you Phil.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Love Phil 💘 ...tells the truth 🗣

[@johnnyfish4201]

Phil was an absolutely incredible inspiration and leader of that team. Still can't get the Stickman Clarke's slash on Kahlamov out of my mind. Just wasn't the right thing to do.

[@elguano1648]

Phil's the best!

[@AlwaysHalloween000]

i love Phil,if he wasn't a hockey player he would fit right in with the Sopranos or some made guy from Goodfellas.And FUCK was he a hockey player

[@timdaly3724]

LOL!!! I've always loved Esposito too, and I've always thought the same as you.....he could have been a great mob boss on TV or in the movies.

[@zims2010]

The guy is at or close to 70 years old at the time of this interview. He STILL looks like he can grab ANY guy ANYWHERE at any age,..and beat the ever loving shit out of em !! If Phil Esposito was a CEO of a Fortune 500 company he would be the most respected and feared. If he was a General in the Army, he would be the most brilliant guy to ever cross the field. If he was your high school math teacher, your coach, your freakin mail man for cryin out loud, you would respect/fear the guy.

[@BBQFanNo1]

This is what the Toronto Maple Leafs were missing in the Early to Mid 1970s. A Team full of guys in their prime like Orr, Esposito, Cheevers, Parent, Clarke, MacLeish, Schultz, Sanderson, Leach, Barber, Etc.

[@leongrinberg8758]

he reminds me poulie wolnuts from sopranos)

[@timhick6]

What a huge heart !

[@lyoshov8519]

hey great to see the russian treat them good considering the canadian hated the russians in 72

[@krasteff]

Really? Probably thats why canadians saluted players from USSR while russians stood silent in Moscow.

[@arfshesaid4325]

@@krasteff we never hated the Russians, nothing but respect actually, ......not big on communism thats all

[@thetruthhurts6652]

@@arfshesaid4325 please. The Russian players were hated up until the 90s. Ask DC.

[@mrdave4714]

Love this guy!

[@patersonplankrd]

I'd like to tell Phil that he's wrong. WE DID CARE..Yes in the States, at least all my hockey friends and our families, we did care In fact my Dad who could not care less about hockey watched every minute of every period. I have to explain some of the nuances of the game. But this was not juts Canada vs the USSR....This was freedom vs communism. And that's all that mattered.

[@thetruthhurts6652]

I think he’s talking in general. I’m sure the NHL fans cared.

[@fleurafricaine5740]

I don’t know. US appreciation of hockey is intense but scattered all over the country. Phil’s right, a day after the game 8 victory you could walk anywhere in the US and talk about the Series and nobody would know.

[@We_are_the_light]

I love Phil....

[@THECLARENCES]

Phil for the win!!! xoxo The Clarences

[@leonmaliniak]

Great to see that Phil is so well spoken and so intelligent and not just some dumb athlete...and what a great commentator and analyst. GOD bless him for his brilliant career and his 1972 performance both on and off the ice. One also has to admire his honesty in admitting that the only way they won that series was by intimidating the Russians...all the way up to Bobby Clark breaking Kharmalov's ankle who was easily the best player on both teams. The truth is that the NHL players were thoroughly outplayed and outclassed hockey-wise by the Russians...it was embarrassing to watch but this was not because they were better players but because the NHL players were not ready mentally and not pjysically in mid-season shape. These players just came back from the off-season break and in those days they did not stay in shape during the summer like they do now. I remember seeing Frank Mahovalich, one of the most powerful and smooth skaters in the NHL being unable to make a turn in the first games. The NHL players had been lulled into a false sense of security by their scouts and severely underestimated the Russians...especially Tretiak. Also, the NHL team consisted of players from many different teams that were together for only a short time prior to the series and did not have a big team background or experience of playing together. The Russians on the other hand were all Red Army guys who were passed off falsely as " amateurs" to be able to play in the Olympics but who were really full time PROS who played together and trained for at least one full year prior to this tournament and were in Olympic condition. Under these circumstances it was a miracle that the NHL won at all and it is a tribute to the great character and patriotism of the NHL players like ESPOSITO , who was the leader of the team, that they were able to get themselves together and elevate their physical abilities to mid-season form so quickly and with so much pressure on them.

[@danstlaurent8306]

A lot of us Americans cared.

[@dougat]

The Leaf players were so great in this series! Great that Montreal beat Ottawa tonight ! That buys Leafs a point!

[@PopShoppekid]

Love ya Phil !!

[@MFIORE7511]

Phil, you' re a treasure,not only a Canadian one but a Universal treasure. Even when you kicked the Hell out of my Flyers with Bobby, I still couldn't hate you.

[@1983prodigy]

You were all Idols Big D men vs Russian O. Frankly, You are the reason why I came to love hockey. Because of that make up of most nhl teams to this day got best Canadian D and Russian O. The sad truth is INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY should be more often.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Would have been interesting to have Phil as PM 😃

[@arniewilliamson1767]

Well said Phil

[@dougmphilly]

this is how i always loved hockey - and i hated the bruins been then - but it was gritty with no pretensions.

[@Contraa]

Actually, Bruins had plenty of skill and showmanship. Orr made sure of that :)

[@hippy1002]

Phil does NOT look his age. Good to see. He is 80 this year

[@robertchflynn]

one more year to 50 now...

[@September2004]

5:25 Dave Keon was still part of the NHL. He wasn't selected because he wasn't playing that well in 1971-72, and so it was speculated that Bobby Clarke was chosen over him because of that. Also, Gordie Howe had been retired for a year and only retired in the first place because of a wrist injury. He didn't get surgery on it until a year later so he couldn't have played, if I understand correctly.

[@September2004]

@@milesalpha1 Keon didn't leave for the WHA until the 75-76 season. He was still with the Leafs until right before then. How could he have been prevented from being in the 72 series?

[@wombatwilly1002]

Clarke was picked because Walt Tzchuk of the Rangers had a hockey school to run.

[@September2004]

I didn’t say anything about the WHA. The reason he was left off, as I said, was because he wasn’t playing that well.

[@brucewettin]

In my eyes he was always a Bruin. my favorite players were Ratelle and Park as a kid and he was a part of a trade that broke my heart, Anyway always thought he was a tad overrated for padded stats with garbage goals in the crease, now after watching this interview and rewatching that summit series which wasn't as big in the states as it was in Canada, I Do have all the respect in the world for him now, and may his Brother TONY O RIP!

[@richardmanginelli2624]

He took the Rangers to the Finals in 79, Bruins didnt crapola after trading him SORRY

[@markusstewart9986]

I'm a huge fan of the series, and it's true what Espo. said about it being called team NHL, with Orr(was able to play) Howe Hull (seen what he did in '74) Keon and even Sanderson Those games each would had been worth at least a goal per game. The lost at Montreal not with standing., Toronto would been 5-1, Winnipeg 5-4, Vancouver was just a disaster so leave it alone. Game 1 in Moscow would had been a tie and the rest would had been just one goal better!

[@Disdained_talent1]

I think Orr was out with a knee surgery.

[@MrHelp-yd4kn]

He is about the only guy I haven't personally talked with. And guess what? He is the only NHLer I want to talk with. Does anyone have his contact info? I would pay 100 usd per half hour to talk with him no problem.

[@408Magenta]

Phil said it as it was.