The Globe and Mail

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin greets Canadian former professional hockey player Phil Esposito at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow on Feb. 24, 2012.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speaks to Canadian and Russian former legendary ice hockey players, coaches and officials at his residence outside Moscow on Feb. 24, 2012.

Canadian former hockey players Pat Stapleton, Marcel Dionne, Jocelyn Guevremont and Jean-Paul Parisé, left to right, stand on the ice before an exhibition game in Moscow on Feb. 25, 2012 between teams of Russian and world stars to mark the anniversary of U.S.S.R.-Canada 1972 Summit Series.

Russian legendary hockey player Boris Mikhailov jokes, right, with former Canadian hockey players Phil Esposito, centre, Dennis Hull, left, and Brad Park during the starting ceremony for an exhibition game in Moscow on Feb. 25, 2012 between teams of Russian and world stars to mark the anniversary of U.S.S.R.-Canada 1972 Summit Series.

Legendary Russian hockey player Alexander Yakushev, right, fights for the puck with Canadian Dave McLlwain during an exhibition game in Moscow on Feb. 25, 2012 between teams of Russian and world stars to mark the anniversary of U.S.S.R.-Canada 1972 Summit Series.

Former Canadian hockey player Yvon Lambert waves as he walks on ice during the starting ceremony for an exhibition game in Moscow on Feb. 25, 2012 between teams of Russian and world stars to mark the anniversary of U.S.S.R.-Canada 1972 Summit Series.

Canadian former hockey players Phil Esposito, right, and Dennis Hull, centre, greet former rival Russian hockey player Alexander Maltsev during the starting ceremony for an exhibition game in Moscow on Feb. 25, 2012 between teams of Russian and world stars to mark the anniversary of U.S.S.R.-Canada 1972 Summit Series.

Russian legendary hockey goalkeeper Vladimir Myshkin, left, skates with the rival Czech Republic's former goalkeeper Peter Briza after an exhibition game in Moscow on Feb. 25, 2012 between teams of Russian and world stars to mark the anniversary of U.S.S.R.-Canada 1972 Summit Series.

Canadian former professional ice hockey player Phil Esposito, left, reacts next to legendary Russian hockey player Vladimir Petrov as they stand the bench during an exhibition game in Moscow on Feb. 25, 2012 between teams of Russian and world stars to mark the anniversary of U.S.S.R.-Canada 1972 Summit Series.

Canadian former hockey players Phil Esposito, right, and Dennis Hull, centre, greet former rival Russian, hockey legend Vladislav Tretiak, during an exhibition game in Moscow on Feb. 25, 2012 between teams of Russian and world stars to mark the anniversary of U.S.S.R.-Canada 1972 Summit Series.

Canadian former hockey players Phil Esposito, right, and Dennis Hull, centre, greet former rival Russian hockey player Alexander Yakushev during the starting ceremony for an exhibition game in Moscow on Feb. 25, 2012 between teams of Russian and world stars to mark the anniversary of U.S.S.R.-Canada 1972 Summit Series.