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Herb Brooks
As a hockey player, Herb was a member of the U.S. team in the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympic Games. As a hockey coach, he coached at almost every level of hockey. He coached at the collegiate level, national level, coached overseas in Europe and coached at the National Hockey League(NHL)level. Herb's coaching achievements included a Olympic Gold Medal and three (1974, 1976 and 1979) NCAA championships at the University of Minnesota, a program which had finished dead last numerous seasons before he became coach. Brooks was also known as an innovator in North American hockey, creating what became known as the "hybrid" style. He mixed the European puck possession style of play with the North American dump-and-chase style of play to create a new "hybrid" style of hockey. This new "hybrid" fast-paced and creative style became the cornerstone of his 1980 Team U.S Gold Medal team. He was also known for his uncanny way of motivating players and getting the most out of them. In 1980, Brooks and his 1980 U.S. Olympic Team were named "Sportsman of the Year." by Sports Illustrated. At the end of the 20th century, Team U.S.A's 1980 Olympic performance was voted as the "Greatest Sports Moment of the Century." and the "Greatest Upset in Sports History" by Sports Illustrated, sports media outlets and hockey press publications. Tragically on August 11, 2003, Herb Brooks died in a car accident at the age of 66. On November 13, 2006, he was posthumously inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Hockey Playing CareerHerb Brooks was born on August 5, 1937 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He played hockey at the University of Minnesota from 1955-59. In 1960, he was the last player cut from the U.S. Olympic team only weeks before the winter Olympics games began in Squaw Valley, California.Three weeks later, U.S. won the Gold Medal and Herb was at home watching the game with his Dad. As the team accepted their Gold Medals, Herb Sr. told his son, "looks like Coach Riley cut the right guy." That statement from his Dad would becoming a motivating and driving force in Herb's life as he got older. In 1964 and 1968, Brooks did make the U.S. Olympic team, but those teams didn't win the Gold Medal like the 1960 team he was cut from. College Coaching Career & "Miracle on Ice"After his playing career was over, Herb started his coaching career. He coached the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers hockey team to three NCAA championships in 1974, 1976 and 1979.Because of his success with the University of Minnesota, he was chosen to coach the 1980 U.S. Olympic team. The 1980 Winter Olympics were being held on U.S. soil in Lake Placid, New York. Nobody had any expectations for the U.S. team. Everyone just hoped that the team just wouldn't embarrass the country and get dominated by the other countries competing in the tournament. Herb Brooks hand-picked the U.S. team. A team mostly consisted of University of Minnesota and their rival Boston University players. The team shocked the world by defeating the heavily favored Soviet Union team in the semifinals(best hockey team in the world) and Finland in the finals to win the Gold Medal.  Post "Miracle on Ice" Coaching CareerAfter coaching the U.S. team to Olympic gold, Herb Brooks headed off to Switzerland for one year and coahed HC Davos. When he came back from Switzerland, Herb headed off to the NHL and started his NHL coaching career with the New York Rangers.While with the Rangers, Herb became the first American born coach in Rangers history to record 100 points in a season. He stayed with the Rangers from 1982-1985. In 1986, he returned to college hockey and coached St. Cloud State University, helping them become a Division 1 school. In 1987-88, Herb returned to the NHL and coached the Minnesota North Stars. Herb continued coaching into the 1990s. He coached the Utica Devils of the AHL and coached two more times in the NHL coaching the New Jersey Devils in 1992-93 and the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1999-00. After his Penguin coaching job, he stayed with the Penguin organization as a scout up until his death in 2003. Herb also coached two more times in the Olympics. In 1998 in Nagano, Japan he coached the French national team. The team wasn't that good and finished in 11th place. In 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah, he once again coached the U.S. Olympic team. This time the players were not amateurs, but NHL pros. Herb coached the U.S. team all the way to the Gold Medal game (beating Russia in the semifinals 3-2). Unfortunately, Herb and the U.S. team couldn't capture another Gold Medal like they did in 1980. They lost to Canada 5-2 in the Gold Medal game and took home the Silver. Brooks coached 308 college games and 507 NHL games. Below are his coaching statistics. NCAA Record:
NHL Record:
Legacy & DeathHerb Brooks has been inducted into three Hall of Fame's. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990, the International Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999 and in 2006, posthumously he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Brooks inscription at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto reads "A man of passion and dedication, Herb Brooks inspired a generation of Americans to pursue any and all dreams."In 1981 TV movie based on the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, Herb was portrayed by accomplished actor Karl Malden. Twenty three years later in the 2004 Disney movie "Miracle" he was portrayed by Kurt Russell. Tragically Herb died on August 11, 2003 near Forest Lake, Minnesota in a car accident. He is survived by his widow Patti who he married in 1965 and his two children Danny and Kelly.  In 2003 in St. Paul, Minnesota a statue and plaque of Herb Brooks was put up outside Saint Paul River Centre. The statue represents his "victory" reaction in the "Miracle on Ice" game in 1980.   In 2005, 25 years after the "Miracle on Ice" game in Lake Placid, the arena where the game was played was renamed Herb Brooks Arena in honor of Herb Brooks. Also the Herb Brooks Award was created and is given out at the conclusion of the Minnesota State High School hockey tournament to the player who best represents the traits and characteristics of Herb Brooks. Even though Herb Brooks passed away in 2003, his memory and spirit will always live on both in and outside the hockey world. He inspired a group of young players to come together and play as a team. A team that shocked the world and at the same time lifted up America's spirit when it needed it the most in a way that we will probably never see again. His famous speech before the "Miracle on Ice" game is now legendary. Watch this clip by young Josuha Sacco. Even though Joshua is just a kid, he has been inspired by Herb Brooks and all Herb accomplished in his life.
Miracle on Ice | 1980 USA Hockey Team | 1980 Soviet Union Hockey Team | Miracle Movie | Jim Craig | Mike Eruzione
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