Hockey at the Olympics
For 48 years from 1920 to 1968, Canada dominated ice hockey at the Winter Olympics, winning gold six times and failing to earn a medal just once. But a dispute over pros competing in the Games kept Canada out entirely in 1972 and '76. NHL players were finally allowed in the 1998 Games, the same year women's hockey became an Olympic event. In 2002 Canada was back on top as both men and women won our first gold medals for hockey since 1952.
Cover image of Hayley Wickenheiser at the 2002 Winter Games by Lawrence Jackson/Associated Press.
Mercury Memories - Oslo, 1952
Broadcast Date: Feb. 20, 1998
To little fanfare and minimal praise, the Edmonton Mercurys bring home what is expected of them: Olympic hockey gold. Many Canadians are of the mindset that hockey simply belongs to Canada and take this win for granted. Little do they realize that this will be Canada's last Olympic gold medal of the century — a series of hard fought games and bitter losses wait in Olympic competition ahead.But in Oslo, the amateur hockey players perform formidably, winning their first seven games before facing off against the second-placed United States in the final. The final score is 3-3 but the Canadians take the gold because of their perfect record in the tournament. This is Canada's sixth hockey gold in seven Olympics. In the CBC Television report, the Mercury's remember that cold, blue-sky day when they were spectacularly golden.
Mercury Memories - Oslo, 1952
• The Mercurys all had day jobs and played amateur hockey on the side. Frank Sullivan, the Mercurys' centre and manager, turned down the invitation to play with the team four times before accepting. Only at his wife's insistence did he agree, and take a leave from his job at the Cominco Mine in British Columbia.• In their four-month pre-Olympic tour, the Mercurys received $25 per week from the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. Many players had to take a leave of absence from work and this made financing very difficult. Car dealer James Christiansen generously covered the rest of the Mercurys expenses, paying out wages to the players' families at home. He is reported to have spent $100,000 to finance the 1952 tour. Christiansen named the team after his best selling car – the Ford Mercury.
• The Mercurys returned home to little fanfare but were warmly welcomed in their hometown. Edmonton's mayor Bill Hawrelak decreed a Day of Welcome for the players who were honoured with a parade and a ceremony at City Hall.
• The Mercurys were World Champions in 1950 and won the Ahearne Cup in 1952. None of the players joined the professional ranks after the Games.
Mercury Memories - Oslo, 1952
Medium: Television
Program: CBC Edmonton News
Broadcast Date: Feb. 20, 1998
Reporter: Mike Jorgenson
Duration: 1:41
Last updated:
Feb. 7, 2011
Mercury Memories - Oslo, 1952.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: Feb. 7, 2011.
[Page consulted on Feb. 15, 2012.]