Mike Eruzione
Captain of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team.
He scored the game-winning goal against the Soviet Union in the 'Miracle on Ice' game and later co-authored a national bestseller about the team's gold medal victory.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Left wing
- Shoots
- Left
- Played for
- IHL
- Toledo Goaldiggers
- AHL
- Philadelphia Firebirds
- Born
- 25 October 1954
- Birthplace
- Winthrop, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Wha draft
- 28th overall
- Wha draft year
- 1974
- Wha draft team
- New England Whalers
Facts from the source article.
Biography
Eruzione was born to an Italian-American family in Winthrop, Massachusetts, where his father worked as a bartender and at a sewage plant. He learned hockey through Youth Hockey of Winthrop in the Greater Boston Youth Hockey League. After serving as captain of his high school team at Winthrop High School, graduating in 1972, he spent a year at Berwick Academy before attending Boston University. He initially chose another school but switched to Boston after a coach forgot his name. At Boston University, he averaged over twenty goals per season for four years, and coach Jack Parker described him as 'Pete Rose on skates.' Eruzione played for Team USA at the 1975 and 1976 Ice Hockey World Championship tournaments. He then played two seasons with the Toledo Goaldiggers of the International Hockey League, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 1978 and contributing to the team's Turner Cup championship that year. Before the 1979–80 season, he rejoined the U.S. team and was named captain of the 1980 Olympic squad. He scored the winning goal against the Soviet Union and helped the Americans win the gold medal against Finland. Sports Illustrated later chose that goal as the greatest American sports moment of the twentieth century, and ESPN viewers voted it the greatest highlight of all time. Eruzione's amateur status was questioned by NHL Players' Association director Alan Eagleson due to his prior contract with the Goaldiggers, but Eruzione defended the team's achievement.
In popular culture
In the 1981 made-for-TV movie Miracle on Ice, Eruzione was portrayed by actor Andrew Stevens. In the 2004 Disney film Miracle, actor Patrick O'Brien Demsey played him. Demsey had played hockey at Fitchburg State College but gave it up due to injuries and a desire to act; he auditioned the day before auditions closed and won the role shortly after his 24th birthday, training with the team Eruzione coached at the time. Eruzione appeared as himself in the American Dad! episode 'The Return of the Bling,' providing his own voice. In the animated series Archer, a character references him with the line 'Give it up folks: Mike Eruzione!' He was the presenter in the 1981 pilot of the game show Starcade. Eruzione has supported both Democrats and Republicans, voting for Barack Obama in 2008 and Donald Trump in 2016. He spoke at the 2012 Republican National Convention in support of nominee Mitt Romney. In 2020, he and thirteen teammates faced backlash after appearing at a campaign rally for President Trump in Las Vegas, wearing red Keep America Great hats. Eruzione expressed sadness over the controversy, saying he shook his head at it. He later regretted the appearance, explaining the team had been invited to a private picture event and did not expect to be onstage. On wearing the hat, he said, 'I just put it on. I wasn’t thinking. Maybe this shows I’m naive, shows I’m stupid. I don’t know. I don’t follow politics.'
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Mike Eruzione born?
Mike Eruzione was born on 25 October 1954 in Winthrop, Massachusetts, U.S.
What position did Mike Eruzione play?
Mike Eruzione's position is listed as left wing.
Which teams did Mike Eruzione play for?
Mike Eruzione played for IHL, Toledo Goaldiggers, AHL and Philadelphia Firebirds.
More in Olympic Ice Hockey Players of 1980
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