Essay about The 1980 U.S. Miracle NHL Team in the Olympics

The Summit Series was a hockey series between the Soviet Union and Canada. This series was during the Cold War in September 1972. The Soviet Union and Canada were considered enemies during the Cold War because Canada was on N.A.T.O and U.S.S.R. was on the Warsaw side. The Summit Series was also known as the “Super Series”. The one thing different with the Summit series compared to other international tournaments, is that Canada was allowed to have players from the National Hockey League. This was also controversial because no players from the World Hockey Association (a competitor league against the NHL) were allowed to play in international tournaments. This affected the great Bobby Hull from playing in the Super Series. The Summit Series was also good for the Soviet Union because they could see how their international hockey team, the “Red Army”, would match up against the pros instead of amateur competition.

A tale can be told in several different ways. Many people are aware of the astonishing feat of the 1980 USA Olympic Men’s Hockey team, who were huge underdogs in their bid to win the gold medal against the powerhouse USSR. The movie “Miracle”, directed by Gavin O’Connor, is the dramatic journey taken by this team, from the anxiety-filled tryouts in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to the exhilarating game against the USSR in Lake Placid, New York. The book, “The Boys of Winter” written by Wayne Coffey, is based on the same events, but takes a less emotional, more factual approach to the subject. The purpose of this essay is to compare these two resources, and to discuss how they differ in tone, style, and theme.

The fact that the 1990s were the greatest period of growth for American hockey suggests that the 1980 Olympics did not inspire thousands of kids to strap on the blades right away. But the event certainly took its place in American sports mythology, giving young hockey players a heritage to celebrate and icons to look up to. That kind of legacy is the lifeblood of any sport.

The “Miracle on Ice,” where the United States defeated the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York will forever be known as one of the greatest moments in American sports history. This game was about more than just sports though, it signified American strength, even when faced the greatest adversities. The United States was suffering through Vietnam, Watergate, and the wrenching upheavals of the 1960s. Many believe this game was even the beginning of the end for the Cold War. The Soviet Union had won the gold medal in six of the seven previous Winter Olympic Games, and were the favorites to win once more in Lake Placid. The team consisted primarily of professional players with significant experience

Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau brought up the idea to Soviet Primer Alexi Kosygni , while he was visiting Canada . Trudeau proposed that Canada's best players would play Russia's best players in a series of friendly games (Rutley), hoping it would relieve some tension between the USA and USSR in there conflict in trying to prove that one's country should be the "super power" nation (Vancouver Island University). The Series was to only played between the Canadians and Russians nobody else because it was based on two nations facing off for the hockey supreme title (CBC Sports). It created a propaganda of Democracy vs. Communism Cold War according to hockey historians who have examine the event . ( Marsh ) After the lost to the Canadians, the USSR made Canada its sport enemy . Even to this day, Russia, has no respect towards Canada in playing them in IIHF Juniors ,IIHF Worlds or Olympics . For example, during both IIHF Gold Medal games in 2015, Canada beat Russia and after shaking with team Canada the Russians would leave the ice ,not staying for the Canadian anthem, which is a lack of respect towards Canada. To conclude , sports played a crucial role in the cold war , providing Russia a reason to hate Canada because of the fact that they've never been beaten before in hockey

The most memorable moment in hockey history came thirty-four years ago with the 1980 Miracle on Ice. The Americans defeating the dominant Soviet team at the Olympics was not only an important triumph for USA Hockey, but for the entire nation. Contrary to popular belief, the underdog win was not only the result of a miracle; it was also the result of a hard-working team led by Coach Herb Brooks. With increasingly negative views on the position of the United States in the Cold War, the Miracle on Ice and the gold medal win lifted the spirits of the nation and brought hockey into the American spotlight.

The uplifting story of an underdog hockey team at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York is told by the film Miracle. The team is composed of many college hockey players trying to better their game play. Tryouts come and go and it is when Coach Herb Brooks reads the final roster of the 1980 Olympic Men’s Hockey Team that starts the beginning of the greatest moment in sports history.

Skating is the most important hockey skill. Players must be able to turn sharply, skate backwards and perform many other maneuvers while skating at top speed. They must be able to do this with their head up and while stick handling the puck.

Another hockey great, who was purely Canadian, and proved his worth in the game of hockey, is the amazing Rocket Richard. He was known for his excellence, but was also just as well known for his great spirit and love for the game. He, as well as Gretzky, was given the honour of being among the best in the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 1955, Richard was, without thought, suspended from the league, Canada, especially Montrealers, went into complete uproar, inducing numerous death threats upon the president Clarence Campbell, as well as what has been called the worst riot in Canadian sports history. This example really shows how dedicated Canadians are when backing up their own players, the ones they know are the best.

All of the rosters of the twelve teams have at least one NHL player on its roster. However, the NHL is thinking about not letting its players play in the Olympics because it cuts into the season, and there is a risk of getting there star players injured.

Considering the significant effect that hockey has on the Canadian economy, the millions of Canadians entertained, and the countless decades of celebrated, memorable history, hockey should be named Canada’s true national sport.

There was a hockey team called Faustina Fury that had 15 players and never lost in their whole season. They were so good that they beat vigorously every team they versed.

During the 2018 Olympics and the 2022 Olympics, NHL players will not be allowed to play. The prime reason is that the NHL is not confident in the cities that are hosting the aforementioned Olympics. Calgary on the other hand is the type of host the NHL can be confident in. As a fellow hockey fan, I am sure you can see why NHL players in the Olympics is important.

My dad says that all hockey games should be in HD. It sounds a little weird I guess.When you think about it is pretty logical idea considering Hockey is a very fast paced sport concerning a very small object, which is the puck. Overall sports is a very big thing in my family and it brings us closer together. With playing baseball and hockey I am playing at least one sport at one period of the year.

Synopsis: When the USSR hockey team took on the United States in the 1980 Olympics, more than just a gold medal was on the line. Probably one of the most political games in history, this particular game symbolized one of many “battles” of the Cold War. In the, movie Miracle, this story of the underdog is told over, with a strong focus on American coach Herb Brooks and his relationship with his team. The movie highlights the extremely hard work done by the team and the demanding Coach Brooks unrelenting passion to win no matter what. The crux of the movie lies within the game with the Soviet union and those stomach wrenching moments before the game even started, as players knew that at this point it was make it or break it.