In September 1972, Canadian hockey pros faced the amateur Soviets for the first time ever. Played under the spectre of the Cold War, Canada’s victory in this famous series, thanks to a last-minute winning goal, has become the best known and celebrated Canadian story of all time. But the games were also marked by extreme acts of violence that are only subconsciously remembered.
VALERY'S ANKLE explodes the spectacle of hockey violence and its representation in North American media. Taking Bobby Clarke's breaking of rival star Valery Kharlamov's ankle during the '72 Summit Series as its departure point and site of research, the video uncovers a disturbing history of unforetold and abject Canadian behavior.