1956 Us Olympic Hockey Team Roster
The 1956 US Olympic Hockey Team is legendary in American sports history. This team was the first American team to win a gold medal in ice hockey, and they did it in impressive fashion. In this article, we'll take a detailed look at the roster of this historic team and the events that led up to their victory.
The Road to the Olympics
The 1956 US Olympic Hockey Team was made up of amateur players, many of whom played college hockey. The team was coached by John Mariucci, a former professional player and coach. The team spent several months training and playing exhibition games before heading to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy for the Olympic Games.
The road to the Olympics was not easy for the US team. They faced tough competition in the exhibition games and struggled with injuries. However, the team was determined to succeed and worked hard to prepare for the games.
The Roster
The 1956 US Olympic Hockey Team roster was made up of 17 players, including 2 goaltenders, 5 defensemen, and 10 forwards. The players were:
- John Mayasich (Forward)
- Herb Brooks (Forward)
- Bill Christian (Forward)
- Bob Cleary (Defenseman)
- Bill Cleary (Forward)
- John Davies (Defenseman)
- Jack Kirrane (Forward)
- Willard Ikola (Goaltender)
- Bob McVey (Defenseman)
- Dick Meredith (Forward)
- Dick Rodenhiser (Forward)
- Jim Connelly (Defenseman)
- Paul Johnson (Forward)
- Jack McCartan (Goaltender)
- Warren Back (Forward)
- Don Rigazio (Defenseman)
- Tommy Williams (Forward)
Many of these players went on to have successful careers in hockey after the Olympics. Herb Brooks, for example, went on to coach the US Men's Hockey Team in the famous "Miracle on Ice" victory in 1980.
The Games
The 1956 Olympics were a tense time for the US team. They faced off against tough competition, including Canada and the Soviet Union. However, the team played with skill and determination, and they quickly gained a reputation as a team to be reckoned with.
The US team had a rocky start to the Olympics, losing their first game to Canada 4-1. However, they quickly rebounded, winning their next 3 games against Germany, Switzerland, and Czechoslovakia.
The US team faced off against the Soviet Union in the fifth game of the Olympics, which was a pivotal moment in the tournament. The Soviet team was heavily favored to win, but the US team played an incredible game and managed to secure a 4-0 victory.
After defeating the Soviet Union, the US team went on to beat Canada in their final game of the tournament. This victory secured their status as the first American team to win a gold medal in ice hockey.
The Legacy
The 1956 US Olympic Hockey Team's victory was a historic moment for American sports. This victory paved the way for future American hockey teams, and it inspired a generation of young players to pick up a stick and pursue their own dreams.
The legacy of the 1956 US Olympic Hockey Team lives on today, and their victory remains a source of inspiration and pride for Americans everywhere.