“You should remember the first of anything.” -E.M. Swift, Sports Illustrated
Help us remember the 1960 USA Hockey team and the Squaw Valley Olympics. Were you there? Did you watch on television? Have you heard stories from those that saw the game? Tell us your 1960 Memories.
My Uncle Weldy Olson was on the ‘60 team. I was a 11 year old youth hockey player at the time.My whole family watched the the Sat. game on TV AGAINST THE RUSSIANS.I REMEMBER THE Milwaukee Journal had the team picture on the front page the next day!!I remember John Mayasich being at my Uncle’s wedding that summer.
Weldy, we as a family have always been very proud of you and your 1960 Gold Medal Hockey Team!!!! Brother Mark Olson.
I met Weldy and his lovely wife, Helen, in 2005, at the U.S. Olympic Hall Of Fame induction ceremonies. I spent 4 hours with these wonderful people and feel like have known them my entire life. Hearing their stories of the agonies and thrills from those 1960 Miracle Games, were the most fun I’ve ever had sitting down. It was an honor to meet the Olsons – and I would like to say ‘thanks’ for the memories. Congratulations on having your story told – at last!
Phil Johnson
Father of 1984 Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast, Scott Johnson
A couple of years ago I spent some time at a Hockey Expo in Las Vegas with Billy Christian and told him I thought it was a shame that his team was not recognized for their outstanding performance, and how they were overshadowed by the 1980 team. He agreed but showed a lot of humility by being philosophcal about it without putting down anyone. I was a young man just home from a tour in Korea when the US won that game against all odds. They were soundly beaten by the Soviet team in exhibition matches prior to the olympics and were not given a chance at a medal, let alone win the gold. My small town of Danvers, Massachusetts, where I played high school hockey for Holten, coached by the legendary, Ray Funchion, came alive with the whole town turning out in Danvers Square to celebrate the victory. It was one of the greatest moments in US sports history and I am thrilled that the team and their spectacular feat is to be honored with a video, which I am now ordering.
kj howe, Class of 1957, Holten, Danvers, Massachusetts now living and playing hockey at 70 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Finally! Look at what those men did for US Hockey..John Mayasich was my youth hockey coach in Stillwater, MN. The Eveleth/Warroad/MN connections had a HUGE impact on MN Hockey & its growth. I’ve had the privilege of meeting some of these men & they were not only great hockey players but also great American Men!
Great job grandpa, glad to see you and your team recognized for winning the first U.S.A hockey gold medal…. the original miracle!
ah yes i remember it well………a few years ago i was up in squaw valley and saw the tribute they have ….and who could forget the first two games goalie jack mcartan played for the ny rangers…….50 years ago ….. wow…
My wife and I were out for dinner that night and only showed up when we were assured that
the Clubs TV would be on and running. Of course there was bedlam at our table all night long
even though our brides were chowing down and discussing hair restoration and clothes.
Between a few shots and a couple or three chasers, the men survived, as did the squaws as
we all got very emotional at the end.
All of us were so proud of that squad and what Herb Brooks and the players did for all of us
in raising our American heads high once again in troubling times.
I r the game well, Dick Burg was the star of my high school team, He was so much better then the rest of us. Will get the DVE thanks you all.
My father was a referee at the 1960 games. As an American he was not allowed to officiate any of the USA games, but I know he watched as many of them as he could. My grandfather and I accompanied him to Squaw Valley (I was 9 years old) and I was allowed to be in the bench area during the USA-Germany game. Bill Cleary scored 4 goals in that game and handed me the game puck as he left the ice. The thrill of that moment is a memory I still carry with me to this day. I have ordered the DVD and will enjoy watching it with my dad who is now 82 years old.
This is terrific recognition for a great team that has long been over looked.
First of all, let me start by saying thank you for finally giving the 1960 USA Olympic hockey team the recognition that they rightfully deserve. Not only was this wonderful DVD informative, but it brought tears to my eyes hearing the triumphs and short-comings of all of these great athletes, coaches, and anyone affected by this magnificent organization. This DVD should be the staple of everyone’s hockey DVD collection, period!
Although the 1960 Winter Games was a decade before I was born, my interest for this team was set ablaze by the unexpected and unfortunate passing of Bob Owen, shortly before I deployed to Iraq for my second time. Since I had most of the 1980 team’s autographs from a set I assembled out of 2004-05 UD Legendary Signatures and a 1995 Signature Rookies PROMO signature card of Herb Brooks that I came across in a German card show many years ago (purchased for a price of $3.00 – the seller had no idea who had signed the card), I decided…”how hard would it be to assemble a set of signatures from the 1960 USA Olympic hockey team?” – was I in for a shock! FYI, I was offered roughly 5 times what the Herb Brooks signature card is actually worth on my last visit to Grand Forks, North Dakota – and respectfully declined the offer!
The first autographed purchased of the 1960 USA Olympic team belonged to Bob Owen, immediately after he passing. Through the help of modern technology, I was able to obtain many other signatures on 8X10’s, 3X5 index cards, envelopes – anything I could get my hands on. Then I decided to write to a couple of the players while on mid-tour leave in 2008 and one player (McCartan) while deployed. I wrote to John Mayasich (I unfortunately never received a reply from this Minnesota great), Eugene Grazia (received a signature on the back of a picture I sent to him – thank you, Gene!), Roger Christian (I did not receive the picture that I sent, but a pre-printed signature on something he had sent – thank you, Roger – I was able to purchase an actual signature at a later time.), and Jack McCartan (received two index cards that I sent to him while in Iraq – thank you, Jack!). The biggest surprise was actual correspondence from Weldy Olson – to include an e-mail, a letter that was indeed informative, the picture that I sent to him (with his take on where and who were in the picture, and his doctored team photo with the explanation of the croppings), and a couple of other tidbits. If I could take a long moment out of my day, I would love to sit down and spend that moment with this wonderful man. Thank you so very much, Weldy, for giving this veteran and passionate hockey fan a moment of your time – it will always be very much appreciated!
And finally, for the players and associates who continue to elude me…John Mayasich, Rodney Paavola (d. 1995), Tommy Williams (d. 1992), Lawrence Palmer, Bob Dupuis, Larry Alm, Jim Claypool, and finally Ben Bertini (d. 19??). I’m sure that there are many others associated with this organization – I do apoligize if they were not included. Any assistance that can be offered on how to obtain signatures from this list, please feel free to contact me:
Chad E. Ault
504 West 2nd Street
Junction City, KS 66441
C: (254) 290-7195
chad97ault@hotmail.com
Please do not take offense by my asking for assistance, and I am certainly not bragging about my collection. I am very proud of what I set forth to accomplish, and welcome each and eery one of you to find that certain passion that makes everything seem worthwhile in life – the love of family and friends, basic necessities for survival, a furry companion in need of your love and support, and hockey – to name a few!
Thanks, once again, for this wonderful DVD and for listening to my passionate voice about the greatest sport in the entire world – the great sport of HOCKEY!
I received my copy of the ” Forgotten Miracle ” DVD yesterday. My father, Weldy Olson’s brother, my wife, and I watched the dvd and really enjoyed it. The DVD is an excellent production.Thank you to the people who produced it. Mike Olson.
I ordered this DVD for my husband who is a huge (old school) hockey fan. I’m sure he’ll love it!
I was 9 and the exploits of the 1960 team were this “California kid’s” initiation to hockey and I have been devoted to it ever since.
I recall watching the miracle on TV in black and white and it was all the more meaningful to me since the games were taking place in California.
My interest in the game has never subsided (we hold San Jose Sharks tickets now) and I was actually able to play club hockey in Central California until I turned 50, but it all began with that 1960 team for me. Our university club team even got to play once at the 1960 Olympic Arena in Squaw Valley before it was destroyed.
I also recall my Dad taking me to Los Angeles Blades games shortly after the Olympics and seeing Jack McCartan in the nets.
I have great respect for the 1980 team and its achievements, but I doubt it would have happened without what the 1960 team did.
I can hardly wait for my copy of this DVD to arrive.
I just saw the ad for the movie and I am looking forward to watching it. My father, Bill Atmore, was the 1960 team physician. He and Jim Claypool were good friends and both lived in Duluth, Minnesota. My mother has memorabilia and fond memories of the time she spent in Squaw Valley with my father and the team. I have two boys who play hockey and who my dad would be so proud of. He died suddenly of a heart attack while he and Jim Claypool were out hunting in 1975. Our family and the Claypools remain close friends. I took the boys to meet him two summers ago; they were speechless and so thrilled. It is a wonderful legacy and it was a wonderful group of people who came together for that remarkable journey to the gold medal!
I first learned of this DVD at the USHHOF induction ceremonies in Boston earlier this month.
I have been telling all of the hockey fans that I know about this wonderful story, the best part of it being that it actually happened.
I have lived a blessed life in that Dick Meredith who played on both the 56 & 60 teams is a good friend of my father as well as due to my career I have had the opportunity to meet several of the players from the 60 team.
In SLC in 2002 I was on a bus to the opening ceremony and had the pleasure of meeting a few of the team members and was able to chat up the great sport of hockey.
The common denominator for all the players that I have met is that they are all first class men.
To see this story and how closely it parallels that of the story of the 1980 team is amazing.
It is great that this story is now out for the entire hockey world to hear and see and relive what is in fact the first Miracle on Ice.
I wish you great success and hope that all of the remaining members of the 60 team continue to enjoy what a great accomplishment they achieved and how much fun it is for hockey fans to see the story preserved for future generations.
Our family had the privilege of hosting most of the team for Christmas before those games. The boys lived too far away (mostly Minnesota) and couldn’t get back home. They played an exhibition game at the Huntington Winter Club on Long Island to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Chapter. We cooked beef and chicken and spaghetti by the carload to keep those wonderful fellows fed! I remember Herb Brooks expertly repairing our daughter’s doll (whose head had come off!) on Christmas Day. It is such fun to see the DVD and listen to the comments and relive the terrific excitement and chills of pride we felt– and still feel– for that great team. of out standing sportsmen. It is a proud moment in history for the USA!
Jim Claypool’s sister Elisabeth
JACK KIRRANE, who was the Captain of that Team and was instrumental in my hockey life and he is why I wore #3. While I played with four of the 80 Team, but I always looked up to the Coach Riley’s Team. I can’t wait to get the DVD ! Thanks E.M. !
I held an Olympic Gold Medal in my hands when I was a little girl, and chills ran up my spine! Pauley Johnson played hockey for the Des Moines Oak Leaves when I knew him – he’s married to the finest woman I’ve ever known and my Mom was proud to call them both friends. His daughter told my family aabout this and we all think it’s terrific! And about time too!
I’m sure my older sisters would have a million memories as well, but it would take more space than we have available here.
We’re soo proud of them all!
WOW.. talk about a great name for this production. My family is from Des Moines, Iowa. Our neighbor and great family friends were Paul and JoAnn Johnson. We called Paul “Pauly” in those days. When we met Paul, he was playing for the Des Moines Oak Leafs. The Oak Leafs featured a lot of old school players from all over the US and Canada, but among them was a shining star. Paul Johnson was a leftie with a mission, get the puck in the net, win the games. I can’t help think now (as I did then), that this was a trait learned during his time with the USA Team in the 1960 (and 64) Olympics! What a class act Paul was and is to this day. A true hero.. my inspiration for playing the game and the reason for many of my great most meaningful youth sports memories. I held Paul’s gold medal in my hands. I can remember it well, it was large, heavy and had been encased in a resin like material to protect it. It was like holding a piece of history.
While I never met any of the other Olympic stars from this team, I have to think that they represented their country as a team, not as individuals do in many sports today. One unit, with a common goal.. to make their country proud of them. As it turned out, they did far more than that, they won against all odds! When I watched the 1980 Olympic team win and we all stood and cheered, but I never forgot the miracle that the 1960 team had accomplished. Thanks to the producers of this film, many of the players will now receive their recognition. Congratulations guys! Enjoy the applause… To Pauly Johnson, keep smiling like you always have. Happiest man I’ve ever known!
After doing a little research, I was able to find individual photos of all of the players from the 1960 team. I can’t vouch for it being 100% accurate, but I recognize several of the players! Check out this link: http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb28/VintageMinnesotaHockey/MN%20Vintage%20Hockey%20Photos/10-17-20073-08-32PM_0040.jpg
Tommy Liddell, that picture is acurate, my father was Tom Williams on the 1960 team, I have the same picture at home. email cwplanner@verizon.net
Chris Williams
Tommy Liddell thanks for posting the picture of the ‘ 60 team on the Memories. I second Chris Williams e-mail that it is correct.I have watched the DVD 5 times, and every time I watch it, I pick up something I DIDN’T know. My Uncle Weldy and Aunt Helen are in Minneapolis today at a reunion of all former USA Olympic and National team members.I bet they are having a great time.Maybe someone at the gathering could post the names of all the people attending.
Olympian from 1960 squad makes trek to honor Herb Brooks
Jan. 22, 2007
by Tim Hennagir
Life Editor
Former U.S. Olympic hockey player Bob Owen made the trek from Topeka, Kan., last week to attend the Schwan Super Rink and Herb Brooks Training Center dedication.
Owen graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1954. He played on the 1956 U.S. Olympic team that won a silver medal in Cortina, Italy.
He’s a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame and U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
Prior to the cermonies, Owen shared a unique historical perspective regarding a key moment in Brooks’ career.
Owen was the alternate captain of the 1960 team that won America’s first gold medal at Squaw Valley, Calif.
He witnessed first-hand Brooks being cut in a last-minute roster move that year.
Coach Jack Riley made the decision to drop Brooks to help clear space for Bob and Bill Cleary, brothers who previously had played with Owen at Harvard.
“Dick Berg, who played for the University of Minnesota, was also cut,” Owen said. “Herb, Dick and I used to triple-date with our girlfriends over in Minneapolis.”
Brooks was a year behind Owen and Berg, and had tallied enough international experience playing experience.
“That prevented him from making the 1960s team,” Owen said. “We played under international rules, and penalty killing rules were strict.”
Owen said if a team was defending against a power play, the opposing squad was could score as many goals as possible during the penalty.
“You could not bring a man out of penalty box if they scored a goal on you,” he said. “The Russians were great at that. You could not ice the puck, when you were shorthanded, either.”
Brooks was frustrated when he didn’t get to go the Olympics in 1960, Owen said. That motivation helped drive a comeback for Brooks.
“He played on the 1964 and 1968 Olympic teams, and made captain once,” he said.
Owen spoke with Brooks a number of times in the years following the Olympics, but did not see him a great deal.
“When he coached the 1980 U.S. Olympic team to the gold medal, I saw him up in Eveleth at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame,” Owen said. “I congratulated him and continued to follow his career.”
Owen said one of Brooks’ most surprising hockey accomplishments was the fact that he won three NCAA titles at the University of Minnesota when coaching legend John Mariucci and others couldn’t.
“He could get more out of the young talent,” Owen said. “Herbie was great for youth hockey. I think he did even better there, not in terms of trophies, awards or medals, but with overall impact.”
Owen said he was impressed by the Schwan Super Rink, its expansion and the newly dedicated 12,500 square-foot Herb Brooks Training Center.
“It’s a great thrill to come back to Minnesota for this event, and to honor Herb, Owen said. “This hockey facility is just unbelieveable.”
In 1954, Owen said he and other hockey players could not have imagined having eight rinks in one location.
“We were lucky to have three rinks in the entire area,” he said.
Owen was referring to the “Big Three” hockey facilities at the time – the St. Paul Auditorium, Willlams Arena on the U of M campus and the ice arena in Minneapolis.
“I liked Williams Arena. You could really skate there during games,” Owen said.
Practices were another matter, however, since teams had to battle the elements.
“We practiced on open ice outdoors,” Owen said. “I was in a game in St. Louis Park one time when the wind was blowing 25 miles an hour and the temperature was 15 degrees below zero. They sat the puck down and it blew to the other end of the rink.”
Owen and travelling companion Jim Burns drove back to Minnesota the Thursday prior to the dedication.
Their weekend was filled with plenty of hockey; all levels of play were represented.
During their stay, the duo watched the Gophers play Denver, the Wild square off against the Dallas Stars as well as two St. Louis Park girls high school hockey games-one against Benilde-St. Margaret’s and the other versus Edina.
“In my day, I never thought women would play hockey,” Owen said. “They are very good players, especially when it comes to passing. They remind me of the Russians.”
The United States’ 3-2 victory against the Soviets in the 1960 Olympics set the stage for an early morning gold medal game and eventual 9-4 victory against Czechoslovakia.
Owen said the game against Russia was important, but the squad’s earlier 2-1 win versus Canada was more significant.
“The Canadians had more weight and height at just about every position,’ Owen said. “We countered with speed.”
Winning the gold medal in 1960 meant a great deal personally, according to Owen.
“It was really a thrill playing for your country, and winning,” he said. “We were picked to finish fifth overall.”
And where is Owen’s gold medal today?
“I borrowed [teammate] Bill Christian’s maxim,” Owen said. “He used to keep his gold medal on the coffee table at home in Warroad and let people see it.”
Owen followed suit, leaving his medal on the table after moving to a new rental house in Topeka.
Someone tried to break in the back door, he said, and that put an end to any public viewing.
“That’s when I put it in the bank,” Owen said.
Tim Hennagir is at editor.blaineslplife@ecm-inc.com.
Just saw the ad on the NHL network looking forward to watching the U.S. beat the USSR other other than in 1980!!! never knew we beat the Russians prior to 1980 and i was delighted when i saw this trailer, cant wait to see what real “old school” hockey looking like winning GOLD!!
I had the fun of playing with Pauley Johnson in Waterloo, IA during the 72-73 season. He was was still good for a goal a game back then. Pauley and JoAnn and family became our closest friends off the ice as well which was welcomed by a 20 year old goalie and my wife and our 18 month old son.
You will never find a more genuine and kind family than the Johnsons.
Steve and Barb Price
Bloomington, MN
I am too young to remember this forgotten miracle, but we were fortunate to have Weldon Olsen’s wife Helen be our home economics teacher for around 20 years at Van Buren High School just north of Findlay, OH. I remember her bringing his Gold medal to school just after the 1980 team won the Gold medal, so we could see it and realize that this was not the first time, but we as high school kids did not really understand what a feat this was. What a victory at such a tough time in history. Weldon and Helen have been such humble, class people in Findlay for so many years. Whenever Findlay is in the news recently. it is mentioned as being the hometown of Ben Roethlisberger. It would be nice if when Findlay is in the news for good news, it would be mentioned as the hometown of Olympic Gold Medalist Weldon Olsen also. He is a part of a great group of men who earned this long overdue recognition.
I am trying to find out if a Bill Schaffer was a member of the 1960 team?
Can anyone help me?
Brad, Bill Schaffer was not on the 1960 team. Not sure if he was part of the tryouts in Boston. He might have been.
I was 11 years old. My dad, Bob McNulty, was helping Walter Bush withe team management and traveled with the 1959 US Nationals in Europe and was with the team in Squaw Valley. I always remember the great stories of the players, the games, the tough opponents and the drama. My dad brought me a hockey stick signed by all the players on 1960 team. What a treasure!
I’ve ordered this DVD and look very forward to seeing it. It’s very heartwarming to read all these posts on this team. In the past 10 years I’ve worked to obtain an autograph from all the team members. Today, 3 have eluded me and these are folks that were cut from the team: #7 Larry Alm, #4 Bob DuPuis and #17 David Outerbridge. I’ve worked with others to locate these 3 gentlemen but we’ve had no success. Does anyone have any info on the whereabouts of these forgotten players?
Thank you in advance of any help you may have.
Dave Isbell
disbell0522@msn.com
Getting fired up for 2010 by going over 1980, 1960, 1936 & 1996. I was not born when the 60’s team won gold. It is teams like this that help me hold my head high as a US Hockey Fan, and get VERY PISSED when I hear hicks like Skip Bayless bash our game as UN-American and call it “Ice Soccer”. Can any one here verify a story about the 1936 team? Story has it that a back-up goalie was brought in for a meeting with Herr Hitler because he spoke German. After getting railed at for about 5 min by “Der Fuerer” about how soft and weak the Americans were and how The Germans were gonna demolish the Americans the goaltender stood and simply said “Die Verhinegen Staaten wollen immer Deutchland bestelgen!” (The United States Will Always Defeat Germany! And they did 1-0!).
I wasn’t born until 1993, so I’ve missed all of the “Miracles”. I was raised in Chicago, so hockey is literally my life. I love the sport, hopefully our boys will get the gold this year. I’m loving how the jerseys are throwbacks to the 1960 and 1980 teams. One can be assured all real hockey fans will restart USA USA USA USA…
Congrats on this DVD, I watched it and loved it! This story is long overdue in being told hopefully NBC will do the same they did at the Winter Classic in Boston and tell this story to the world during the Olym[pics
I just finished watching the DVD and it brought back memories of watching some of the games on a black and white TV at my grand mother’s house. My Mom’s family grew up in Brookline and knew all of the Kirrane’s. Years later my uncle took me to meet Jack Kirrane at the fire house and I got his autograph.
I met Bill Cleary during the time I was a Hockey Manager at Boston University and see him from time to time now.
My first job out of college was with the New England Whalers of the WHA and I got to know Tom “Bomber” Williams well. I remember him telling me, “you’re only as good as your last game!” He scored the first goal in Whaler history against the Philadelphia Blazers in October of 1972. Tom’s brother Butch who appears in the DVD was in the Whaler organization as well. Jack McCartan was a member of the Minnesota Fighting Saints in that first WHA year.
It’s amazing to see footage without helmets and to some extent masks.
The Olympics were a lot purer in those days and have become much too commercialized for my liking.
Thanks for a great production
Chris Henes
Hello hockey fans,
Ordered the DVD today and look forward very much to watching it. I was 5 when the 1960 team won its gold. I vaguely remember watching one game and the commentators were worried about the ice being soft because the Squaw Valley sun was shining on a part of the rink.
A guy on my dad’s team, John Mayasich, played for that U.S. team and Mayasich scored 12 points on 7 goals and 5 assists. Not bad for a defenseman. What Bobby Orr became as an offensive defenseman John Mayasich was in the late 1950s, early 1960s. He had a huge game in the opening pool game vs. the Czechs, a 7-5 U.S. win. Mayasich had the hat trick and a helper. In a different life, I did a feature story on John Mayasich for the Mankato Minnesota Free Press. Asked about his most powerful memory of the 1960 gold medal experience, he said it was hearing the United States National Anthem played at the medals ceremony. John got a little choked up telling me that, and John is not a man given to showing emotion. He said his second biggest thrill was seeing all of his friends and Green Bay Bobcats teammates waiting for him when he arrived at Austin Straubel Airfield in Green Bay, Wisconsin after the games ended. Of Mayasich the hockey player, my dad, Dick Dier, once said in a newspaper story that, “John could handle the puck and had beautiful moves no one else had.” That pretty much sums up the way John Mayasich painted the game with his play. My dad could never figure out why John could never gut the deer he happened to shot when they hunted together on Louie Obermeier’s farm outside of Shiocton Wisconsin.
The Bobcats, incidentally, beat the U.S. team 6-2 during that team’s 1960 pre-Olympic tour. At the time, Mayasich was still playing and coaching the Bobcats. Dier lit up McCarten for one goal and also had an assist in the game. He was pretty proud of that, but was more proud to play with Mayasich and guys like Bruce Schutte, Paul and Mike Coppo, Paul Johnson (for one season), Dick Dougherty, Jackie Poole, Tom Neveau, the Stenlund Brothers, Joe Bocchinni, brothers Ron and Ken Stenlund, Kenner Ruohonen and one of his favorite teammates, Fuzzy Frenette.
The USHL of the late 50s and early 60s was a terrific hockey league. We saw a lot of great hockey players play the Bobcats in Green Bay: Jerry Sullivan, Ozzie O’Neil, Paul Johnson, Barry Cook, Oscar Mahle, Billy Riechart, Tom Yurkovich, Ken Johannson (who later in life likened the players of the USHL of that era to a fraternity), Herb and Davie Brooks, Pud Teal, Davie Frank, Jerry Melynchuck, Wayne McQuaig, Jim Coyle, Tom Yurkovich, Brian Lunny, Art Strobel, Ron Beck (as a Bobcat), and Mike “Lefty” Curran (as a Bobcat and ‘72 Olympian).
Thank you in advance for making a documentary of the 1960 gold medal team.
JACK KIRRANE is a class act.Still helping in youth hockey and stricking a scratch golf game hope u are feeling better (JUST FOUND OUT Sorry FOR YOUR LOSS)
I grew up in Williams Minnesota and was born after the Miracle in 1960, However, I put the skates on at 4 years old and when I was able to start competing it was against the Christians of Warroad Mn. I soon learned the story of the olympics and every time I picked up my Christian Brothers hockey stick I would dream of being in the Olympics just like the Bill and Roger. I was able and lucky enough to play against David Christion and of couse marvaled at his hockey abilaty and proudly watched as he joind the 1980 miracle team. My memories will always be about those great days and the inspiration the Christian Brothers and there kids gave to me.
Trace Brown
I went to all the big games at the 1960 Olympics, including US-Soviet Union, US-Canada,
Soviet Union-Canada as well as the final game against the Czechs. I was 13 years old,
living in San Francisco and had never seen a hockey game, either in person or on TV.
My Father, a great hockey fan from growing up in Boston and playing college hockey at
Harvard, ended up not being able to go. I went in his place. My Mother did her best
to explain the rules. Flash forward to 1980. In their first game the US beat the
Czechs by the exact same score they beat the Czechs in the first game in 1960 (in
1960 the US played the Czechs twice). I saw that as an omen. I was in Hong Kong
at the time I saw the result on the wire. When I got back home to Seattle it was
the day of the game against the Soviet Union. I told my girlfriend I didn’t care about
not having seen her for 3 weeks. I just wanted to see the game against the Soviet
Union. I had a premonition – I knew the US was going to win. Just like in 1960,
the US did win 3-2. We watched the game in my girlfriend’s bedroom. All I
remember was jumping up and down on her bed as the game ended. I don’t
recall going out with her again. I look forward to buying the DVD.
Bob Homans, Kyiv, Ukraine
W asn’t Don Ruggierio (SP) a goalie on this team? He was from Cambridge, Mass. He also played on the Hearst Newspaper All-Star Baseball team.
I was at Olympic tryouts camp in Minneapolis/St. Paul in 59 with Herb, Rodney, Fuzzy, Pauley Johnson, Jack, Larry Alm, Dick Berg and when they won the Gold I was very, very happy for them, in the exhibiton games, the Russians just lite them up but when it got down to the brass tacks Jack and the guys showed just how deep they could dig down and how tough they could play. These guys, from all walks of life,. I have never understood why,the 1960 team has never gotten the kudos they deserve and though it has been such a long time incoming I really hope they get the true recognition they deserve. For the person who was asking about Dave Outterbridge, well the last time I saw Davey we were packing our hockey equipment at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, Calif. on our way to Olympic camp, Dave and I played out here on the west coast in 57-59 in the old West Coast Sr. League when we weren’t fixing airplanes at El Toro. As you probably already know Dave went to the east camp in Boston and I went to the west camp at U of M. Anyhow everytime I hear about the 1980 “Miracle” I tell the TV “They were the 2nd Miracle” The “Original” was in 1960 Squaw Valley, Calif. If any of the guys read this I just want to tell you, Jack, you were absolutely awesome, Pauley, you were always my “Ted Lindsay” Davey, if you see this drop me a line at my email address. God Bless all of you guys and thank you.
The goalie on the 1960 USA hockey team was Jack McCartan, who was the goalie on our high school hockey team at Marshall H.S. in St. Paul. He graduated one year ahead of me.
I live in Topeka next door to Bob Owen and when he passed away, we purchased his house. Bob always had a big smile on is face . We occasionally get mail addressed to Bob, and then I learn what he did ihockey. To us he was just our neighbor Bob. Bob quietly did a lot fo veterans. I guss its like losing a grndparent. There;is a wealth of information, that is now gone .We miss him. Cheryl Blevins czibell@!yahoo.com
My dad always talked about getting to hold his cousin Bob McVey’s gold medal. If you’re reading this Mr. McVey, my dad Leo McNamara really looked up to you, and I’ve heard some great stories about you. Unfortunately, hockey skills don’t run in the family, but the love of the game does.
Weldon Olson was my hockey coach during the 1980 season and I remember all of his
great stories of his Olympic playing days. I was good friends with his sons Greg and
Keith and still remember seeing his gold medal. It was a great inspiration.
The Forgotten Miracle DVD came on Friday. After watching it about a half-dozen times, it earns a solid A. The only thing I would have liked to have seen more of was actual game footage. There’s a lot of game footage in the documentary, but a little more of it would have been perfect. Filmmakers did justice to John Mayasich’s ability.
Maybe footage of the entire Canada-USSR-Czech games is available somewhere. If anyone knows, send info to rogdier@yahoo.com Thank you in advance for that.
I am so thrilled that this outstanding group of men is being recognized for their
achievement. I don’t think people comprehend just how remarkable and different the
triumph of the 1960 team was than what the 1980 team achieved and I find it amazing
that people who supposedly ‘know hockey’ (such as many of the announcers during the
current Games) can mention the 1980 “Miracle” team without also mentioning the 1960
“Forgotten Miracle” team.
Can’t wait to see the film – thank you for making it!
Pete Bansen, Chief
Squaw Valley Fire Department
Billy Cleary went on to Coach the Harvard Varsity Hockey Team. In 1989 Harvard came into St.Paul and beat the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers 4-3 in overtime to win the NCAA Hockey Championship. It was the first time Harvard had even won an NCAA team championship.
I grew up playing hockey in Grosse Pointe, Michigan and feel very fortunate to have been coached and mentored by the”GREAT” Weldy Olson!!!!…I saw the Gold medal and heard many great stories!!His sons, Greg and Keith, were a part of our teams. I’m now in Marquette,Michigan and hockey remains a big part of my life!!..This tribute is long overdue!!..I can’t wait to get my copy of the DVD…Weldy is the ultimate class act!!! and all of the young hockey stars of today should be as humble and give back so much! There is a great interview with Weldy on the MSU sports web site. Hope all is well with the family and God bless you guys..let’s bring home another GOLD!!!
Erich Drettmann
J.T.’s Shaft
Marquette,Michigan
I was detached to the 1960 Winter Olympics from a handful (12) Marines from Camp Pendleton and sponsered by Sports Illustrated.It was a great time to be chose to prepare the coarses at Sqaw Valley.as we got to attend all the events. Espescially satisfying was the defeat of the great Russians & Canadians. What a thrill it was & always will be. I still have my original medal & passes to all the events.. Thanks for remembering the Greatest Miracle.
13abc Toledo is doing a short piece on Weldon Olson tonight at 6. See it afterward
on 13abc.com
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=7300319
As a freshman in HS I was mesmerized watching the 1960 USA Olympic Team at Squaw Valley.
It was an outdoor rink of course.
It was wonderful.
It inspired me to go on and play college hockey (4′th liner @ WPI) and my three sons (all first liners.)
USA
WOW I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS DVD. I was a young 20 y/o in Vermont in 1960 when the USA won the Gold at Squaw Valley. My first time to ski there was February 1961 a year later. I skied there often thru the 60s and 70s. I finally bought property there in the 80s, and established my permanent home there in the 90s. Ever since the so called Miracle on Ice of 1980, I have screamed from the hills of SQUAW–1980 was the second Miracle!!!!
Now I have DVD proof of that claim.
i was just out of the Army in 1959 and had caught the hockey bug when I was stationed in Ft churchill, Canada. Although I was US army I played for the Canadian Army team as US didbt have a team there.
When I got back to Boston, I became an extreme “rink Rat” and spent every waking hour at the old Boston Arena which is how I had a chance to take part in the 1960 Olympic Tryouts in
Boston at the Boston Arenea. At the time I didnt realize what it all was for, and never thought I ever had a chance to actually make the team. All I was thinking about was a few hours of FREE ice time!
Everytime I see my great uncle John Mayasich we always talk about this game. I’m 16 and this movie was so good!
With a saddened heart, our deepest sympathies go out to the Mayasich family with the unexpected death of John’s grandson, Robbie Mayasich. Robbie was participating in a 24 hour relay race (Ragnar del Sol in Arizona) Saturday and was struck by a car, suffering severe brain injuries. Please keep the Mayasich family in your prayers and take a moment to give your child a hug or holler and let him/her know that you love them (I know I just did). I am truly sorry for your loss.