University of Minnesota Athletics

10 Gophers on 1980 Miracle on Ice


Suffice it to say, the two United States Olympic Ice Hockey Gold Medals would not have been possible without the contribution from the University of Minnesota Hockey program. In arguably the greatest moment in American sports history, the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team shocked the world by defeating Russia and Finland to claim the gold medal. That team was led by former University of Minnesota Head Coach Herb Brooks and included 10 Golden Gophers on the roster. Brooks also coached the 2002 U.S. Olympic hockey team to a silver medal.

Twenty years before the “Miracle on Ice,” the 1960 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team skated through the field unbeaten to win the nation’s first gold medal in Squaw Valley, Calif. That squad featured starting goaltender Jack McCartan, as well as John Mayasich and Dick Meredith.

Through the years, Team USA has had a noticeable Minnesota presence. In every year since the 1980 Olympic Games, the Gophers have been represented on Team USA.

1980 USA OLYMPIC HOCKEY ROSTER
Goaltenders
30 Jim Craig North Easton, Mass. Boston University
31 Bruce Horsch Hastings, Minn. Michigan Tech
1 Steve Janaszak White Bear Lake, Minn. Minnesota
Defensemen
2 Les Auge* St. Paul, Minn. Minnesota
6 Bill Baker Grand Rapids, Minn. Minnesota
12 Jack Hughes Somerville, Mass. Harvard
3 Ken Morrow Davison, Mich. Bowling Green
17 Jack O'Callahan Charleston, Mass. Boston University
5 Mike Ramsey Minneapolis, Minn. Minnesota
4 Gary Ross Roseau, Minn. Bemidji State
20 Bob Suter Madison, Wis. Wisconsin
Forwards
9 Neal Broten Roseau, Minn. Minnesota
23 Dave Christian Warroad, Minn. North Dakota
11 Steve Christoff Richfield, Minn. Minnesota
14 Ralph Cox Braintree, Mass. New Hampshire
22 Dave Delich Eveleth, Minn. Colorado College
21 Mike Eruzione Winthrop, Mass. Boston University
28 John Harrington Virginia, Minn. Minnesota Duluth
10 Mark Johnson Madison, Wis. Wisconsin
7 Rob McClanahan St. Paul, Minn. Minnesota
16 Mark Pavelich Eveleth, Minn. Minnesota Duluth
25 Buzz Schneider Babbitt, Minn. Minnesota
8 Dave Silk Scituate, Mass. Boston University
19 Eric Strobel Rochester, Minn. Minnesota
27 Phil Verchota Duluth, Minn. Minnesota
15 Mark Wells St. Clair Shores, Mich. Bowling Green
Head Coach: Herb Brooks
* second to last player cut from team