Rick Martin was one of several young Canadian stars included in the inaugural Team Canada. Also on the team was his Buffalo Sabres' French Connection linemate Gilbert Perreault

Because the series was far tighter than expected, most of the young players didn't get much ice time. Martin in fact got into 0 games against the Soviets.

Sabres' boss Punch Imlach pressured Martin and Perreault to come back early since they were not being used, and they complied. While they had the blessing of Team Canada and the respect of their Team Canada teammates, there was a controversy in the media about the desertion. Nonetheless, Martin and the others have no regrets and no ill feelings towards them.

Martin was actually one of the few Canadian forwards who showed up at training camp in exceptional shape. Back in the old days players, especially established players, didn't work out in the summer time as hard as NHLers today must. They used training camp to work themselves into shape. But Martin was just 20 at the time and prepared himself in the summer time.

While Martin wishes he could have gotten into at least one Summit Series game, he holds no regrets and is a proud member of Team Canada 1972.