1980 U.S. Hockey Team Roster
The 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, will always be remembered by Americans as the "Miracle on Ice". The U.S. men's hockey team, made up of college players and amateurs, defeated the heavily favored Soviet team and went on to win the gold medal. In this article, we’ll take a look at the 1980 U.S. hockey team roster and the players who made history.
Coach: Herb Brooks
Herb Brooks was the head coach of the U.S. hockey team in 1980. He had previously played for the U.S. hockey team in the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics and went on to coach at the University of Minnesota. Brooks was known for his unconventional coaching methods and for pushing his players to their limits.
Forwards
The U.S. hockey team had four lines of forwards, each with their own unique abilities. Here are the forwards who made up the 1980 U.S. hockey team roster:
Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson was the leading scorer for the U.S. team in the 1980 Olympics, with 11 points in 7 games. He went on to play in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Minnesota North Stars.
Mike Eruzione
Mike Eruzione scored the game-winning goal against the Soviet team in the "Miracle on Ice" game. He played in the NHL for a short time before retiring to become a coach and motivational speaker.
Rob McClanahan
Rob McClanahan was a gritty forward who played a key role in the "Miracle on Ice" game. He went on to play in the NHL for the New York Rangers and the Hartford Whalers.
Mark Pavelich
Mark Pavelich was known for his speed and agility on the ice. He played in the NHL for the New York Rangers, the Minnesota North Stars, and the San Jose Sharks.
Defensemen
The U.S. hockey team had a strong defensive core, with players who could play both defense and offense. Here are the defensemen who made up the 1980 U.S. hockey team roster:
Ken Morrow
Ken Morrow was the only player on the U.S. hockey team who had already won a gold medal, having played on the 1980 Olympic team. He went on to play in the NHL for the New York Islanders, winning four Stanley Cups.
Mike Ramsey
Mike Ramsey was a solid defenseman who played a physical game. He played in the NHL for the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Bill Baker
Bill Baker was known for his offensive skills, scoring four goals in the 1980 Olympics. He went on to play in the NHL for the Montreal Canadiens and the Minnesota North Stars.
Dave Christian
Dave Christian was a versatile player who could play both defense and offense. He played in the NHL for the Winnipeg Jets, the Washington Capitals, and the Boston Bruins.
Goaltenders
The U.S. hockey team had two goaltenders who played a key role in the team's success. Here are the goaltenders who made up the 1980 U.S. hockey team roster:
Jim Craig
Jim Craig was the starting goaltender for the U.S. team and made several key saves in the "Miracle on Ice" game. He went on to play in the NHL for the Atlanta Flames and the Boston Bruins.
Steve Janaszak
Steve Janaszak was the backup goaltender for the U.S. team and played in one game during the Olympics. He went on to play in the AHL and the IHL.
Conclusion
The 1980 U.S. hockey team will always be remembered as one of the greatest underdog stories in sports history. The team of college players and amateurs, led by head coach Herb Brooks, defeated the heavily favored Soviet team and went on to win the gold medal. The players on the 1980 U.S. hockey team roster will always be remembered for their grit, determination, and ability to come together as a team when it mattered most.