Trump Honors 1980 ‘Miracle on Ice’ Hockey Team With Congressional Gold Medals

Name: Trump Honors 1980 ‘Miracle on Ice’ Hockey Team With Congressional Gold Medals
Uploaded: 2025-12-13T05:40:14.000Z
Description: The U.S. hockey team, headed by coach Herb Brooks, managed to defeat the four-time defending gold medal-winning Soviet team 4–3 at the 1980 Winter Olympics.

The U.S. hockey team, headed by coach Herb Brooks, managed to defeat the four-time defending gold medal-winning Soviet team 4–3 at the 1980 Winter Olympics.

Audrey Simons

Published: 12/12/2025, 8:26:52 PM EST

President Donald Trump welcomed members of the 1980 Olympic men's ice hockey team to the White House on Friday to honor the "Miracle on Ice" players for their unprecedented upset over the Soviet Union.

"This is very exciting," Trump said from the Oval Office before signing the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, which authorizes the striking of three Congressional Gold Medals for the team.

The team is receiving the nation's highest civilian honor "in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics where … revitalizing American morale at the height of the Cold War, inspiring generations and transforming the sport of hockey in the United States," the legislation reads.

"This was one of the greatest moments in the history of U.S. sports," Trump said. "We're delighted to be joined today by true legends of American sports history—heroes for the entire nation—the 1980 U.S. Olympic ice hockey team. This was one of the biggest moments that I've ever seen in sports, and I like sports. These are the men who gave us one of the most storied athletic wins of all time."

More than a dozen amateur college players and minor leaguers were on the roster at the Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York, on Feb. 22, 1980.

Despite being pitted as the underdogs, the U.S. hockey team, headed by coach Herb Brooks, managed to defeat the four-time defending gold medal-winning Soviet team 4–3.

Two days later, the team defeated Finland 4–2 and took home the gold medal.

The team's victory was depicted in a Disney movie titled "Miracle," which was released in 2004. Some of the team members eventually went on to play in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Veteran NHL defenseman Ryan Suter attended the ceremony on behalf of his late father, Bob Suter, who was a member of the 1980 hockey team and passed away in 2014 at the age of 57.

"It's a true honor for me to be a part of this," Ryan Suter said.

The U.S. hockey team pounces on goalie Jim Craig after a 4–3 victory against the Soviets in the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., on Feb. 22, 1980. (AP Photo) — The U.S. hockey team pounces on goalie Jim Craig after a 4–3 victory against the Soviets in the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., on Feb. 22, 1980. AP Photo

Tarja Lewis also represented her late father, Mark Pavelich, another member of the "Miracle on Ice" squad, who passed away in 2021 at age 63.

"I'm so honored to be here, I'm at a loss for words," she shared. "Thank you for having us here."

During the ceremony, Mike Eruzione—captain of the 1980 team and scorer of the winning goal against the Soviets—presented Trump with a replica of the cowboy hat the team wore at the opening ceremony in Lake Placid.

"I don't think words can explain how proud we are for what you've done for our team. Thank you very much," Eruzione said.

"We're a bunch of proud Americans," Jack O’Callahan, Eruzione's former teammate, added. "We're thrilled to be in your presence."