Gary Bergman < br > Gary Gunnar Bergman ( October 7 , 1938 in Kenora , Ontario – December 8 , 2000 ) was a professional ice hockey defenceman playing in the NHL mostly for the Detroit Red Wings . He was also a part of Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series . Playing career . Minor league career . The professional hockey world had its first look at Bergman in 1957 when the Winnipeg Warriors of the Western Hockey League called up the young defenceman currently on the MJHL ' s Winnipeg Braves . After two years with the Warriors , and solid defensive play , Bergman moved into the American Hockey League and continued to gain experience while skating with four different AHL squads , including the Buffalo Bisons , Cleveland Barons , Quebec Aces , and the Springfield Indians . It was after this last season in 1964 that the NHL finally took notice . The Detroit Red Wings claimed Bergman in the 1964 Intra - League Draft on June 10 and put the hard - working defenceman to the test . NHL career . Bergman joined the Detroit Red Wings for the 1964 – 65 season and looked very comfortable as a freshman . In 58 games , Bergman held back his offensive instincts while focusing on his defensive work . Gradually he gained confidence and seniority on the team . He played solidly when the Wings reached the 1966 Stanley Cup finals and lost to the Montreal Canadiens in six games . Bergman was the man tangled up with Montreal ’ s Henri Richard when Richard scored the Stanley Cup - winning goal against Detroit in overtime during Game 6 of the 1965 – 66 final series . Bergman , like all Wings from that season , was convinced Richard pushed the puck in with his glove and the goal should not have counted . He said this after the game , " " I took him down and held his stick in my hand , there was no way he could score . " " Bergman continued to improve his defensive and offensive roles on the team throughout the early 1970s . His well - rounded play made him useful on both the power - play and penalty - killing units for the Wings . Although he incurred his share of penalties , Bergman wasn ' t considered a surly opponent on the ice . He rarely looked for trouble but also never backed down from an onrushing opponent , whether he was a fancy scorer or a power forward . While all eyes were on young superstars like Bobby Orr and Brad Park , the Red Wings were a mediocre team that continued to lose respect in the league , especially with the retirement of Gordie Howe . Bergman started turning to the community , becoming involved in many outside charities and organizations . He was particularly involved with helping disabled children and adults . He was one of the most liked NHLers off the ice due to his charity work and in 1973 he was named co - winner of the Charlie Conacher Humanitarian Award . After 10 years as a Wing , Bergman was traded to the Minnesota North Stars for fellow veteran blueliner Ted Harris on November 7 , 1973 . One thought as to why he was traded stemmed from Bergman speaking out when he disagreed with the decisions of coach Ned Harkness . He would post 26 points to go along with his consistent defensive play in the 1973 – 74 season for the North Stars . After one year he was reacquired in the off - season on October 1 , 1974 by the Red Wings for Detorit ' s 3rd round draft pick in 1975 ( who ended up being Alex Pirus ) . He would score 30 points for his former team before being traded again the following year . Along with Bill McKenzie , Bergman was traded on August 22 , 1975 for Peter McDuffe and Glen Burdon to the newly formed Kansas City Scouts where he would spend his final NHL season . In 1975 – 76 , Bergman would record his second highest point total of his NHL career , scoring five goals and tacking on 33 assists to finish with 38 total points . Bergman retired with 367 points in 838 regular season games . In nearly a decade and a half of NHL service , he had the chance to play in only 21 post - season games , 12 of them taking place in 1966 . 1972 Summit Series . In 1972 Bergman received a huge compliment when Harry Sinden and John Ferguson invited him to play with Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series . Bergman recounted the day he was asked to play for his country , " " Harry called me Sunday morning . Janie and the kids and I were just going out the door to church , and I had to stop . Janie was saying , ' Would you get off the damn phone , we have to get to church . ' It was Harry Sinden on the phone asking me if I ' d be part of the team . " " Bergman played an important defensive role in all eight games against the Soviets and chipped in with three assists . He would posthumously be honored for his defensive efforts in 2005 , when the team was honored , en masse , as members of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame .