Ice War Diplomat: Hockey Meets Cold War Politics at the 1972 Summit Series

by Gary J. Smith

Discover a diplomacy mission like no other in Ice War Diplomat , the behind-the-scenes story of the historic 1972 Summit Series. Amid the tension of the Cold War, caught between capitalism and communism, Canada and the Soviet Union, young Canadian diplomat Gary J. Smith must navigate the rink, melting the ice between two nations skating a dangerous path. On his first overseas assignment, Smith is tasked with finding common ground and building friendships between the world’s two largest countries. Once in Moscow, he opts for sports diplomacy, throwing off his embassy black tie and donning the blue-and-white sweater of the Moscow Maple Leafs. Trusted by each side with unparalleled access to officials, coaches and players on both teams, Smith witnesses this unique and epic hockey series that has come to transcend time, becoming a symbol of the unity and clarity that sports can offer. The 1972 Canadian-Soviet Hockey Series will go down in history as a pivotal political event, changing the course of two nations and the world of hockey―the fascinating story in these pages will appeal to history and sports fans alike.

Genres: Sports, Hockey, Nonfiction, History, Canada, Memoir, International Relations

322 pages, Paperback

Published September 13, 2022

Reviews

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ice War Diplomat is the memoir from former Canadian diplomat and ambassador, Gary J. Smith, detailing his crucial role in the creation of the 1972 Summit Series between the USSR and Canada.

2022 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Summit Series, an eight game series between the Russian Red Army team and a Canadian collection of superstar NHLers who battled for hockey supremacy. To mark the occasion, a deluge of books and documentaries detailing the events of the games are set to be released. In sorting through them, Gary J. Smith’s account seemed to be the most interesting. While he wasn’t on the ice, his role as a Canadian diplomat – fully fluent in Russian – was invaluable in putting together the contest as well as keeping the games on track when things looked to go off the rails.

Gary not only provides insight into the inner workings of the games themselves, but he also discusses his journey that led him to his role as a public servant. Smith writes about requiring approval before he could even marry as the Canadian government had to vet his wife to be sure blackmail opportunities or conflicts of interest didn’t exist. Both then had to spend a full year in classrooms learning Russian before being posted behind the Iron Curtain.

Both sides of the political spectrum argued over the rules and locations of the games, right down to which referees would officiate the contests. These arguments went to great lengths, and would often get heated. These are details you believed should have been sorted out well before the puck dropped, but there were even instances of discussions happening between periods let alone between games. When you’re the USSR and perception is reality, you take advantage of every situation to make sure the facade of daily life is better than it seems.

I don’t think anyone can truly justify just how big an event this was. The importance of the execution of this series weighed heavily on Smith and his diplomatic brethren. Smith says at one point that these games were operating on a level of a proxy war between the two nations. Sixteen million people in Canada watched the final game (sixteen million in a country consisting of just under twenty-two million) and over one-hundred and fifty million Russians watched across their twelve time zones. This was less of a game and more of a cultural event.

I’d like to say that fifty years later, we’ve evolved as a society that these types of clandestine operations are a thing of the past, but just look at what is happening in the world today. Russia is once again isolated behind a wall of secrecy with even their hockey teams being banned from international competitions. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

While I fully intend to explore many of the other books and documentaries to come, I think Ice War Diplomat is an important piece of the big picture. Without those working behind the scenes, there is no way this event would have happened.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the many books I've read about the 1972 Canada-Russia hockey Summit Series, this one offers the most unique perspective. It was written by the Canadian diplomat who while posted in Moscow was given the task of helping to bridge the political and ideological divide between Canada and Russia and work behind the scenes to help put the series together. This book expertly combines a look at the on-ice product with stories of behind the scenes negotiations, shenanigans and compromises to produce a fascinating and unique look at the Summit Series. The first 50 pages are more of a memoir of how Smith and his wife got into a career in diplomacy and how language lessons in Russian prepared him for his role in bringing the series to fruition. His account of some of the behind the scenes happenings in Moscow that have become legend takes a more balanced approach than some of the players and coaches who were much more caught up in the emotion of the series itself. Well-written and very interesting. And excellent complementary volume to the many books written by players, coaches and journalists about the series, offering a distinctive perspective.

[John Eldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a five star rating for this book. Author Gary J. Smith had an insider's view of the 1972 Summit Series from his post as a diplomat at the Canadian embassy in Moscow. The high level politics and behind-the-scenes drama, all against the backdrop of the Cold War, made for a most interesting and enjoyable read.

In addition to the story about the hockey series the author also gives us an insight into what life was like for Canadian diplomats and their families stationed in Moscow in the early 1970s. The Canadians were aware the KGB was constantly watching and that even their living quarters were bugged with KGB listening devices. It made for unique and often difficult living circumstances.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in hockey, Canadian politics, international diplomacy and especially for those who remember the exciting 1972 hockey series between Canada and the Soviet Union.

[Spencer Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being both a hockey fan and an international relations nerd, this book had a good cross-section of my interests! I enjoyed learning more about something I had only superficially heard about before, and getting more details from someone who played a pivotal role in the series' creation was quite interesting. My only complaint was that sometimes the book was a bit too much of a recitation - we had this meeting, then this meeting, then this meeting, etc. Obviously some of these meetings are crucial, but a bit less listing of them and a bit more analysis would've tightened things up some and made this a 5* for me.

[Victor Saville · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 50th anniversary of the iconic Summit Series between the U.S.S.R and Canadian national hockey teams approaches this September.
The author gives a first-person and behind-the-scenes account of the state of diplomatic relations between Canada and communist Russia and the impact the series had on these relations both before and after the series, literally right up to our current date.
I found this to be beneficial to the understanding of the impact the series has had on generations of hockey and the relations that have followed.
An interesting and worthwhile read.

[Maurice Tougas · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has read at least a half-dozen books about the Canada-Russia Summit Series of 72, I thought there was nothing new to say about the greatest moment in Canadian sports history. But Ice War Diplomat, written by Canadian diplomat assigned to Russia at the time, gives an inside look at the negotiations that went on before, during and after that epic series. Smith, as a Russian speaker, was involved in every important moment, and Ice War Diplomat looks at the series through Russian eyes. A must-read for fans of the series, and the history of Canada-Russia relations.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A memoir from a Canadian diplomat who was stationed in Moscow during the early 1970s and subsequently played a key role in helping organize the 1972 Summit Series. Smith covers the 8 games themselves here, but also looks at the diplomatic side of things, and how the Canadian embassy and government played a major role in helping organize the tournament. Smith himself played a major role, and was personally involved throughout the entire process, and his writing gives great insight into how it all came to be.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unique view of the 1972 Summit Series from the political POV.

Skipped a lot of the introductory part but the sections on actual series and aftermath were very good.

Hard to believe the lengths the Soviets would go to win, not only in hockey, but of course the Olympics, the doping scandals on the East Germans, then the Sochi Olympics.

Now with Russia basically banned from IIHF competitions because of the invasion of Ukraine we’ll not see them again any time soon

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read about the early 70's and the Cold War. I've read some books about the USA and Russia but never about Canada and Russia, they have had an intriguing relationship over the years. The hockey parts are not that depth so that may help you decide depending if you are into that or not. The author sure had quite the fascinating career and did a great job of telling his side of this story.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating history of the Summit series and the description of life and conditions under the Soviet regime will be of particular interest to readers, who are too young to have experienced that period in world history. The hockey series may not have produced whatever changed the Canadian government under Trudeau had wanted, but it definitely led to major changes in hockey.

[Jenn Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Not bad but not exactly what I expected. The title doesn't necessarily clue you in to how much this is a memoir of a particular diplomat's experience through this lens of this pivotal event. Still interesting, but there were parts I tuned out a bit.

[GBC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read, well written. I was concerned about the political and behind the scene look at the ‘72 Series but I found it intriguing and well balanced with stories and hockey.

I would recommend this book. Thank you.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable and quick read. It's not just about hockey.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with the perspective of a diplomat extensively involved in the series. Fascinating read about an iconic hockey series for Canada.

[James Junke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly insider’s view written with humility and humour. Many wonderful stories and insights, professional and personal.

[Andy Janes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing fancy with the writing, but a fun review of what it took to bring the 1972 Summit Series into existence. Good for a fan of Canadian foreign affairs, history, and hockey, like me!

[William Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who studied the Summit Series in grad school (my Master's paper covered the subject), the book gives a fascinating insight into the various institutions that brought the series together. The author provides his perceptions of his role as the "file lead" from then-called External Affairs Canada. While he certainly does not write from the perspectives of the NHL, Hockey Canada, the IIHF, nor the various levels of Soviet bureaucracy caught up in the event, his recounting of the intersection of all these interests is clear and concise. I have to also admit that his perspective was sorely lacking from my own scholarship. While I was writing my work, the government files were still classified SECRET and I was not able to obtain any of them for my research. Smith's book helps fill in a much needed element to the overall history and lore of the series and is well worth the time.

[Calvin Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ Outstanding behind look at the most historic sport event of my lifetime. Loved it all.