The Making of a Miracle
The Untold Story of the Captain of the 1980 Gold Medal–Winning U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
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- $15.99
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- $15.99
Publisher Description
On the fortieth anniversary of the historic "Miracle on Ice," Mike Eruzione—the captain of the 1980 U.S Men’s Olympic Hockey Team, who scored the winning goal—recounts his amazing career on ice, the legendary upset against the Soviets, and winning the gold medal.
It is the greatest American underdog sports story ever told: how a team of college kids and unsigned amateurs, under the tutelage of legendary coach—and legendary taskmaster—Herb Brooks, beat the elite Soviet hockey team on their way to winning the gold medal at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. No one believed the scrappy Americans had a real shot at winning. Despite being undefeated, the U.S.—the youngest team in the competition—were facing off against the four-time defending gold medalist Russians. But the Americans’ irrepressible optimism, skill, and fearless attitude helped them outplay the seasoned Soviet team and deliver their iconic win.
As captain, Mike Eruzione led his team on the ice on that Friday, February 22, 1980. But beating the U.S.S.R was only one of the numerous challenges Mike has faced in his life. In this inspiring memoir, he recounts the obstacles he has overcome, from his blue-collar upbringing in Winthrop, Massachusetts, to his battle to make the Boston University squad; his challenges in the minor leagues and international tournaments to his selection to the U.S. team and their run for gold. He also talks about the aftermath of that stupendous win that inspired and united the nation at a time of crisis in its history.
Eruzione has lived a hockey life full of unexpected twists and surprising turns. Al Michaels’ famous call in 1980—"do you believe in miracles? YES!"—could have been about Mike himself. Filled with vivid portraits—from his hard-working, irrepressible father to the irascible Herb Brooks to the Russian hall of famers Tretiak, Kharlamov, Makarov, and Fetisov—this lively, fascinating look back is destined to become a sports classic and is a must for hockey fans, especially those who witnessed that miraculous day.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Mike Eruzione, who scored the game-winning goal for the U.S. hockey team against its vaunted Russian opponents in the 1980 Winter Olympics, traces his path to glory and his charmed life afterward in this buoyant, earnest memoir. Growing up in working-class Winthrop, Mass., Eruzione's first pair of skates were his sister's complete with pom-poms. His hockey skills were overlooked until the end of high school, when Boston University coach Jack Parker discovered Eruzione while refereeing the high school's summer hockey game. Then, in another stroke of luck, Eruzione, who went on to play for BU, played few enough games in the minor leagues to maintain his amateur status, which qualified him for the Olympic team. Eruzione comes across as eminently down to earth, whether it's reminiscing about his loving and chaotic childhood household ("Three floors, no doors") or trying to decipher stern Olympic head coach Herb Brooks, whose relentless, cerebral coaching style prohibited intimacy ("I wish I had been able to know him better than I did"). Eruzione recalls what seemed to be a simpler time when major news came through television, newspapers, or word of mouth, and when the U.S. Olympic team was comprised of scrappy amateurs. This heartwarming memoir will delight more than just hockey fans.
Customer Reviews
The Making of a Miracle!
Wow what a book ! Learned some wonderful details that aren’t in the movies! The best real life story, ever written ! Thanks Mike you did an outstanding job telling about your life, and the greatest sports moment ever in history!