Assistant Coach 1980 Olympic Hockey Team
The 1980 Winter Olympics was a memorable event for sports enthusiasts, especially for hockey fans in the United States. The US hockey team, which had come together hastily and was made up of mostly amateur players, shocked the world by defeating the heavily-favored Soviet Union in a game that came to be known as the "Miracle on Ice." While the players deservedly received most of the credit, their success was also largely due to their coaching staff - and one man in particular: assistant coach Craig Patrick.
Early Life and Career
Craig Patrick was born on May 20, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in the hockey world, as his father, Lynn Patrick, was a former NHL player and coach. Craig played college hockey at the University of Denver and was a member of the 1968 US Olympic team that competed in Grenoble, France.
After his playing career ended, Patrick turned to coaching. He spent several years as an assistant coach at the University of Denver and later served as the head coach of the NHL's New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Joining the 1980 Olympic Coaching Staff
In 1979, Craig Patrick was approached by US Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks and asked to join the coaching staff for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Patrick accepted and was tasked with coaching the team's defensemen.
As the team prepared for the Olympics, Patrick worked tirelessly with his players to improve their skills and tactics. He was known for his attention to detail and his willingness to work with players one-on-one to help them reach their full potential.
The Miracle on Ice
The 1980 Olympic hockey tournament began on February 12th, with the US team facing off against Sweden in their first game. The Americans won 2-1, but it wasn't a particularly impressive performance. They followed up with a 7-3 victory over Czechoslovakia, which showed some improvement but still left a lot of room for improvement.
Then came the game that would define the tournament - and the US hockey team's place in history. On February 22nd, they faced off against the Soviet Union, widely considered the best hockey team in the world. The game was a classic underdog story. Despite being outshot 39-16, the US team managed to stay in the game, tying the score at 3-3 late in the third period. With just seconds remaining, Mike Eruzione scored to give the US a stunning 4-3 victory.
The win over the Soviet Union was an incredible achievement, but it didn't guarantee the US team a gold medal. They still had to face Finland in their final game of the tournament. But with Craig Patrick and the rest of the coaching staff behind them, the Americans managed to win 4-2 and secure the gold medal.
Craig Patrick's Legacy
Craig Patrick's contribution to the 1980 US Olympic hockey team cannot be overstated. His knowledge of the game and his ability to work with players were instrumental in the team's success. After the Olympics, Patrick continued his coaching career, spending several more seasons in the NHL. He also served as the general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, helping to build the team that won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 1991 and 1992.
Patrick's legacy as one of the most successful coaches and executives in hockey continues to this day. He was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996 and the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2001. His role in the Miracle on Ice is not forgotten, either - in fact, he was portrayed by actor Noah Emmerich in the 2004 movie "Miracle," which tells the story of the 1980 US Olympic hockey team.
Conclusion
Craig Patrick's role as assistant coach of the 1980 US Olympic hockey team was an important one, and his contributions to the team's success cannot be understated. His attention to detail and his ability to work with players helped to bring out the best in them, leading to one of the most memorable moments in sports history. Patrick's legacy in hockey is secure, and his part in the Miracle on Ice will never be forgotten.