Canada dominated the first Olympic ice hockey tournaments. However, from 1956 until its dissolution, the Soviet Union took over and became the main contender for medals. Only the victories of the American team in 1960 in Squaw Valley and in 1980 in Lake Placid interrupted this domination. The American team was represented by a young team of players from Boston and Minnesota, including Larry Palmer, who graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1959.