(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
Do you believe in miracles?
40 years ago the answer that was question was “YES!” when the United States hockey team pulled off the greatest upset in sports history defeating the Soviet Union en route to the 1980 Olympic gold medal.
Now, for the first time in nearly a decade, the entire team is getting back together to celebrate the most memorable game in hockey history, and they are doing it right here in Vegas.
What better place other than Lake Placid to celebrate your 40th than in Vegas? -Mike Eruzione, 1980 USA Olympic Team Captain
On February 22nd, exactly 40 years to the date, the Golden Knights are hosting every living member of 1980 USA Olympic team to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their monumental win in Lake Placid.
Any time I can get to see my teammates it’s exciting so I’m looking forward to it, especially on this special occasion. -Eruzione
The team will be at that night’s Golden Knights game vs. the Florida Panthers and will be included in a night-long anniversary celebration. Plus, a special season ticket member event is scheduled for the night before the game and an event open to the public is in the works for the afternoon on the 22nd.
We’d like to thank the Vegas Golden Knights for considering it and doing it, and obviously, as a team we’re excited about celebrating our 40th and it’s nice that somebody stepped forward and offered an opportunity for us to do it. Thanks to the Vegas Knights, the people of Vegas, the fans, and the season ticket holders. I know they’ll do a great job of promoting it and we’ll have some fun. -Eruzione
There are still tickets available to the game on the Golden Knights website, including a bunch on the “flight deck,” (standing room only tickets next to the castle) which is likely where the team will be hanging out for a majority of the night.
More information is expected to be announced by the team soon.
Mark
Great memory, great team. They spit in the eye of the Tiger and won. Probably the greatest upset in sports history. A team, filled with amateurs, college kids who slayed Goliath, a Soviet team that crushed NHL teams regularly. It goes to show you, if you play as a team, set aside personal selfish goals, pull in one direction anything is possible. This 80 team is an example of that. RIP Herb Brooks,he was the architect, a great leader, a great coach.
thomas j kaplan
Like when man walked on the moon, I know exactly were I was when that game was played 40 years ago: Competing in the NESCAC Wrestling Championships in NH! I finished 6th at 167lb. Hockey was #1! This will be amazing!
Kj howe
The forgotten miracle was in 1960 at Squaw Valley, California when the US defeated the Soviet Team, for the first time, in the semi-final round, and then the powerful Czechoslovakia squad to win the gold medal. Head coach Jack Riley, who was the coach at West Point, fielded a team that included the Danvers, Mass. brothers, Bill and Bob Cleary, both of whom played for collegiate powerhouse, Harvard, and two Minnesota brothers, Bill and Roger Christian. In the net was Jack McCartan who later played in the NHL. I don’t know how many of the players on the 1960 team are still around, but Mr. Foley, a former West Point cadet, should invite them to the celebration as well. Kj howe (season ticket holder)
Dave S.
this is fantastic!! These guys inspired and rejuvenated the country in 1980. I was wondering if anybody was going to honor their 40th, and now the Knights, my favorite team, are going to do a great job.
Sports fans have voted it the greatest sports moment, and I think this celebration will be the biggest VGK promotion this season.
Welcome to Mike Eruzione and his great teammates. Miracle team honored by miracle franchise.
Bill Keys
The VGK 2017-2018 season far exceeded any “Miracle On Ice”.
Eric Clark
That’s wrong they should return to Lake Placid, they did not win the gold in Vegas. My family will still go to Lake Placid to honor the Team February 22, 2020