Path to the Summit: Anatoli Tarasov and the History of Soviet Hockey Part 1 (1946-1956) Hardcover – December 29, 2022

This is the fourth edition of Part I. It has been carefully revised and streamlined for improved flow and greater coherence, making it an even more engaging and accessible read.OverviewIt is said that the Soviet Union first embraced hockey on December 22, 1946. Nine years after this inauspicious beginning, the Russians became both World and Olympic Champions, a meteoric rise that mirrored the stunning performance of their athletes at the 1952 Summer Olympics. In every other sport, this success had been achieved by studying the West and significantly enhancing the training provided to their athletes. However, in hockey, it is claimed that victory was crafted without prior exposure to the game, without assistance from outside sources, and due to the efforts of one man - Anatoli Tarasov.It makes for a wonderful tale, but it’s pure myth.This trilogy delves into the untold story behind the Soviet Union’s journey to the 1972 Summit Series. In Part 1, we explore the complex history that the Soviets had with hockey before 1946, the internal challenges in establishing the sport, the political conflicts that shaped its development, and the significant contributions of Canada’s Lloyd Percival. With a direct connection to the very first Soviet hockey season, Percival’s theories provided Anatoli Tarasov with the framework he needed to realize his vision of total hockey.This is the story of the Soviet Union’s ‘Path to the Summit.’ Read more