I declare February 22nd National Hockey Day across the USA. A day to celebrate the proud, hardworking commitment made on the ice for decades by those who wear the USA across their chest. This day, as most of you know, produced the first Miracle on Ice in 1980. When Coach Herb Brooks’ group of college kids, who nobody believed had a chance, defeated the Soviet Union in the semifinals being held at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
The names Mike Eruzione who scored the winning goal against the much older Soviet professional hockey players; Jim Craig, who did an amazing job as goaltender throughout the Olympic tournament; and Mark Johnson, who was the leading scorer for the team during the games, etched in American history forever. The event occurred at a most needed time and immediately lifted our national spirit in a legendary way.
The team won the gold medal after falling behind to Finland, scoring three goals in the final period to create the memorable celebration on the podium that no one will ever forget.
The story of the 1980 USA Hockey Team was captured in the movie “Miracle,” in which Kurt Russell played the part of Coach Herb Brooks. It was an instant classic among sports fans, and as the decades have passed, I’ve heard younger Americans refer to the team’s coach as Kurt Russell.
Since that special February 22nd, it was 46 years to the date until the USA men wore Olympic Gold around their necks again.
Although the National Hockey League is at home in the United States and Canada, Olympic hockey history has been dominated by the Canadians and the Soviet Bloc nations. They have accounted for 18 Olympic titles, winning nine each. Compared to the USA Hockey’s total of three, the other one came in 1960 against Canada.
Olympic hockey has changed over the years; it’s now the best professionals from the nations represented at the games, including our Country. American Hockey has come a long way with steady growth, and this year’s ‘Miracle on Ice’ was a bit different, but equally worthy of the celebration forged in the pride of being American.
Until the final shot off the stick of Jack Hughes ended up in the back of the net, it looked like Canada would prevail somehow in overtime. Hughes plays for the New Jersey Devils and, with his efforts, lost a couple of teeth, which made for a perfect interview after the game.
This year’s Head Coach, Mike Sullivan, is from the New York Rangers and did a remarkable job. As did the Most Valuable Player of this year’s games, goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who was absolutely sensational, stopping 41 of 42 shots, many at point-blank range in the last 5 minutes of regulation that seemed destined for Canadian Gold. The team also featured Quinn Hughes, who was the USA’s leading scorer at the Olympiad and Jack’s brother. What’s more American than one set of brothers on a hockey team? How about two, as Matthew and Brady Tkachuk also played key roles.
This year’s USA celebration on ice was more dramatic than the 1980s as it took that overtime goal in sudden death. Hellebuyck, wearing the American flag, was interchangeable with Jim Craig’s image from 1980, but at one point, I counted four American flags draped around the shoulders of Americans and one extra USA Jersey on the ice this year. That of number 13 Johnny Goudreau, who tragically died in 2024, his teammates honoring their fallen brother by circling the ice carrying his jersey. His parents were in attendance, celebrating the American accomplishment as tears ran down their cheeks. I’m sure the movie honoring this year’s team and the complete story is already in the making.
Team USA celebrated gold together in Italy in all the right ways. They talked about their amazing Nation and the honor to play for Team USA. They talked about how blessed they are to win Gold against the great Canadian Team.
They talked about that hard work, commitment, and love of Country I began the article with. And just how important everyone, from the time they were very young playing on a frozen pond, to this point in the journey, has been.
They celebrated with their families, parents, coaches, loved ones, and American fans.
Most impressive was their understanding of the moment and how they represented every town, state, and individual that the USA across their chest stands for and represents. This celebration continued back to Miami and then to Washington, D.C., and would still be going on, but they had to report back to their NHL teams to resume the season.
I wish every athlete who earns and accepts the honor to compete for Team USA had this understanding. Whether it is an individual or team sport, it’s not about you, it’s about US, as in United States of America. This is not a time for political statement, personal agenda, or social media views. This is a time to represent the great country you’re blessed to call home.
God Bless America.
