Miracle Blog

The 1980 winter olympics was a huge part of my life growing up.

Playing travel hockey my entire life, I got the amazing opportunity to actually play on the same exact rink that the United States beat the Soviet Union and went on to win the gold medal at the same games.

The movie, Miracle, I think does an amazing job of showing the recruitment process of the players that made the team so special.

At this time in world history, politics were the number one concern on a governmental front. It was ultimately Russia vs. USA in every aspect. Athletics, economics, political ideas, a race to the moon, basically you name it they were fighting to get it first.

The Soviet Union dominated in the athletic department quite heavily. The Soviets often treated their athletes like soldiers because they were. Hockey players were all active members of the “red army”.

Some of the players on the Soviets were teammates for over 10 years. So coming into the 1980 olympics, the Soviets were poised to run over the competition, especially the American team which was full of college players.

As all know, the opposite happened and America pulled off a “Miracle”. A team of college kids beat the best hockey team to ever be assembled.

This win was a huge political uplift for the United States at the time. It sent Russia back home with their tails tucked between their legs and America could rest knowing we got that gold on our soil.

It was arguably the most patriotic time our country has ever witnessed because the country was all on one side, even if it was just for the Olympic games. In Jim Craig fashion, I would also paint a shamrock on my goalie helmets all the way up to today. This game was easily the most political game ever played and that's why it's so special.