Rendez-vous ’87 was an international ice hockey series of games between the Soviet Union national ice hockey team and a team of Canadian All-Stars from the National Hockey League….which was held in Quebec City….and replaced the NHL’s All-Star festivities for the 1986–87 NHL season. The Soviet team was paid $80,000 for their appearance in Rendez-vous ’87….while the Canadian NHL All Stars raised $350,000 for the players’ pension fund. In this video herewith, ESPN’s Tom Mees introduces the program to the television viewing public.
Thomas E.”Tom” Mees (October 13, 1949 – August 14, 1996) was an American sportscaster best known for his play-by-play of professional and collegiate ice hockey….and for being a prominent personality on ESPN during that network’s early years….where he was a lead anchor on SportsCenter from 1979 to 1987….when he took on play-by-play duties for NHL games on ESPN….and when ESPN later lost the NHL contract to SportsChannel America….Mees returned full-time to SportsCenter…..and when the NHL returned to ESPN in 1992-93….Mees worked NHL games during the season and hosted SportsCenter in the off-season. Tom Mees was an early advocate of NCAA Ice Hockey on ESPN….and helped the growth of the Frozen Four (NCAA Hockey’s championship tournament) into its national status of today. Other sports Mees called for ESPN included college basketball, college football and Major League Baseball. He also anchored the network’s coverage of the United States Football League in the 1980s. By the 15th anniversary of ESPN, Mees was one of three, along with Chris Berman and Bob Ley, original anchors of SportsCenter still with the network.
