Mississauga, Ont. — Hundreds of autograph hounds swarmed to a large tent in the parking lot of the Hershey Centre arena for signing sessions with the heroes of Canada's 1972 Summit Series hockey team Saturday afternoon.

The popularity of the Team of the Century, as selected in a Canadian Press poll two years ago, has never waned.

"Somebody once said nothing lasts forever but I'm starting to think this does," Boston Bruins president Harry Sinden, who coached Canada's team during its eight-game showdown with the Soviet Union 30 years ago, said as he stood at the back of the venue surveying the scene as he awaited his turn.

Admittance was $5 for adults and $2 for children under 10. Players were divided into groups of five or more, with autographs from each group costing $35. Proceeds were to be used to help defray the estimated $100,000 cost of flying in and housing players for the reunion, said organizers.

Given that big-name Hockey Hall of Famers who show at card shows get big bucks — Gordie Howe's autograph usually costs $75 at a show in Canada — the $35 for five was a bargain.

Macks Shepherd, 57, of Kitchener, Ont., wouldn't have missed it. He arrived with an enlarged team photo with previously-obtained autographs of every member of the team except four — Mickey Redmond, Ed Johnston, the late Bill Goldsworthy, and Sinden. He got Sinden in the tent. Sinden was part of a third group that included Brad Park, Rod Gilbert, John Ferguson and Rod Seiling.

"I'm going to complete this piece and hang it up in the family room," said Shepherd, who aimed to get a pen in the hands of Redmond and Johnston at a gala dinner later in the day.

Vendors had set up tables in the tent. Some sold items with no connection to hockey, such as beanie babies and stuffed animals, while others hawked hockey memorabilia.

Pucks emblazoned with head shots of Summit Series players sold for $5, although there were only a handful of Paul Henderson and Phil Esposito pucks and they were gone by noon. A complete set of the 10 bobblehead dolls of Summit Series stars, including Paul Henderson's autographed bobblehead, was going for $299 plus tax. The new DVD set of all eight Summit Series games, the release of which earlier this month was one of the main reasons for the reunion, was priced at $50.

Most were there to purchase autographs.

"This is about nostalgia," said Doug Hum, 36, of Toronto, who can remember nothing of the series from his childhood. "These guys are the guys I watched on Hockey Night In Canada every Saturday night sitting in front of the TV with my dad.

"It was part of my childhood."

The first group — brothers Frank and Pete Mahovlich, Tony Esposito, Don Awrey and Red Berenson — was scheduled to sign for 90 minutes but there were so many customers they had to keep signing on for 2½ hours. The Big M was getting antsy if not writer's cramp.

No personalized autographs were allowed.

Phil Esposito, the captain 30 years ago, Guy Lapointe, Serge Savard and Dale Tallon arrived for the second session, with Esposito stopping to do a television interview near the entrance.

"The more time passes, the more I remember it, which isn't supposed to happen to old geezers," he said of the unforgettable series.

Reminded of the mayhem of the deciding Game 8 in Moscow, Esposito had this to say about referee Jozef Kompalla: "He was a liar, a cheat, and an incompetent jerk."

It's been 30 years, and the series still cranks out emotional sparks.

"Joy and elation that we won, and that there was a God," Seiling said when asked what the players' feelings were after it ended on Henderson's winning goal with 34 seconds remaining.

They still kid one another about particular plays. Awrey, who played in only two of the games — both losses, recalled that a Russian skated past him to score.

"I thought [goaltender] Ken Dryden could have come up with the save," said Awrey.

Players were to receive rings at a dinner Saturday night. About 350 tickets were sold. Proceeds go to Special Olympics. Expected to attend were 29 of the 33 living players from the original roster. Bill Goldsworthy and Gary Bergman are deceased.

There will be a public skate Sunday at the Hershey Centre with the players with donations going to prostate cancer research.

"I don't think at the time we appreciated the series would be remembered like it has been remembered," said Berenson, the head coach of the University of Michigan hockey. "The guys have all grown older but a lot of them haven't changed a lot.

"They've all done well in their own right. They're good people. They don't look on themselves as being special. They're all humble guys, all good Canadians."

It will be many years before they attempt another reunion.

"We'll have to be sure to have a 50th," Sinden said with a grin and a twinkle in his eye.