Soviets Await NHL's RSVP
Vancouver Province Feb 2, 1972

Sapporo - The Soviet Union invited Montreal Canadiens and all other National Hockey League teams to Moscow to play the Russian national team.

A Soviet team spokesman told a news conference on the eve of the Winter Olympics that Canadian professional teams had been invited to Russia before but they had cancelled out.

"You can inform Canada that the team of Montreal Canadiens is invited to the Soviet Union," the spokesman said. Asked if was only inviting the Canadiens, the spokesman answered his invitation included "every NHL team."

The Russia hockey team is the favourite to win the gold medal at the Olympic Games. The Canadians, which always entered a team of medal contenders in the past, have been missing from international competition for the past year following a disagreement with the international federation about the rules.

Arkadi Chernyshov, coach of Russia's team, said he deplored the absence of the Canadian team from these Winter Olympic Games.

"We are always happiest when we have the strongest competition," the veteran Soviet coach said. "The difference in the Olympics this year and in the other Games in which we have is the absence of Canada."

The Soviets said they had invited Canadian teams to play in Russia in October but the visit was cancelled at the last minute.

Meanwhile, in Montreal, NHL president Clarence Campbell said any invitations the Russians may tender to NHL teams exhibition games will have to be made through the league, not the individual clubs.

"There will be no invitations to specific teams," Campbell said. "Any such invitations will be dealt with through the league."