September 1972. There wasn’t a living Canadian that wasn’t glued to the outcome of the Summit Series between Canada’s greatest hockey players and the best of the Soviet Union.

Amid the planning of celebrations commemorating the series, former players are split on the presence of Alan Eagleson.

Without Eagleson, there would have likely been no series at all. However, Eagleson has since betrayed the trust of a lot of those players; after being found guilty of embezzlement and fraud of NHLPA pensions.

Phil Esposito, Brad Park, and Dennis Hull have all voted to ‘disinvite’ Alan Eagleson, stating that if he’s there, they won’t be. Bobby Clarke believes Eagleson should be present.

Are the players being small minded here? Can’t they put things aside for the duration of the celebrations? Maybe they’ve never heard the expression ‘Put on a brave face’.