University of Minnesota Athletics
Herb Brooks
Men’s Hockey, 1957-59
Hockey Coach, 1972-79
HOF Class of 1991
In 1956, St. Paul Johnson High School grad Herb Brooks came to the U of M, where he became known as a goal scorer with speed and intensity.
He took those traits onto two Olympic teams and five U.S. National teams over the next decade before becoming head coach of the Golden Gophers in 1972.
Minnesota, in last place in the WCHA when Brooks took over, captured its first NCAA national hockey championship just two years later. Two more national championships, and Brooks had created a dynasty – all with Minnesota kids. He ultimately posted a 167-97-18 Gopher record.
In 1980, Brooks coached the U.S. Olympic team to its gold medal "Miracle on Ice."
Brooks next coached the NHL’s New York Rangers, where he was named NHL Coach of the Year in 1982. In 1987, he became head coach at St. Cloud State University, and later coached the Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins. He led the French Olympic team at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, and guided the U.S. Olympic team its 2002 silver medal at Salt Lake City.
Winner of the 2002 Lester Patrick Award, Brooks was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990 and Toronto’s Hockey Fall of Fame in 2006.