I'm more and more like Him everyday

When people ask me who in the news (past or present) do I act more like I don't automatically think Mike Eruzione. Number one because I'm not a guy, 2nd of all he never went to job corps (he was too busy at Boston University and the Olympics) and 3rd he played hockey. But looking beyond the differences, I'm so much Like "Ritz" it's crazy! I have brown hair and I'm on the shorter side. I want to play hockey just like him and I'm looking into going to Boston University like he did. At job corps I'm in a leadership role as a student ambassador and he of course was the caption of the 1980 of the Olympic team. I was talking to mom about the possibility of me wearing Mike's  number but I was not the leader he was and she mentioned that I'm becoming the leader he was but it just took me awhile I was more of the one who lead like he did, with actions instead of words so I am like "Ritz". WOW, I have big shoes to fill

Retro bio:buzz schneider

Buzz had the unique honor 20 years after the miracle on ice to be played by his son Billy in the Disney film Miracle. But this blog is not about Buzz's son it's about the man and his story that his son protrayed 20 years later. Finding pictures of this guy was harder than finding info on him. It's kinda weird but what is important is what brought Buzz to that moment? What has he done after that day? Well William "Buzz" Schneider was born on September 14, 1954 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota but grew up in  Babbitt, Minnesota. He played hockey, baseball and football. He went to the University of Minnesota where he played for Herb Brooks and won the1974 NCAA hockey championship. He later was drafted

98th overall in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins and no. 73 overall in the 1974 WHA draft by the Minnesota Fighting Saints. Buzz played for the United States National Team in 1974-76 as well as being a member of the US team at the 1974, 1975 and 1976 Ice Hockey World Championship tournaments as well as the 1976 Olympic team. He turned pro after the 1974-76 National team. He played in a variety of minor leagues before playing four games for the Birmingham Bulls of the WHA during the 1976-77 season. After the end of the WHA season, he returned to play for the US national team at the 1977 Ice Hockey World Championship tournament in Vienna. Schneider returned to the minor leagues in 1977-78. He played two seasons in the International Hockey League before regaining his amateur status to play in the 1980 Olympics.During the 1979-80 season, the left wing played 62 games for the National team scoring 27 goals. During the  run in the Olympics, he scored five goals and  three assists in seven games going for that miracle and the gold medal. Schneider played on the Olympic team's top-scoring Iron Rangers or Conehead line with John Harrington and Mark Pavelich.After the Olympics he played in Bern, Switzerland until 1983. Schneider returned to the US national hockey team for the 1982 Ice Hockey World Championship tournament in Helsinki. He retired from hockey in 1983 and went back to Minneapolis  where he worked as a sales executive for a semi-trailer company.  In 2001 he quit his job to gain a commercial real estate license.Buzz was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003 as member of the 1980 Olympic team.He is now the coordinator of the Turkey men's national ice hockey team. In the 1981 TV movie about the 1980 U.S. hockey team called Miracle on Ice, Schneider is played by Jonathan Sagall. Buzz's son Billy portrayed him in the 2004 Disney movie Miracle.On the DVD of the 2004 film the director said he asked Billy if he was related to Buzz after he saw Billy's last name and billy just said "Yeah he's my dad" like it was no big deal. I wish Buzz good luck with everything and I hope and look for Billy's movie return.

Still my favorite at age 52

Jim Craig from the 1980 Olympic hockey team

Retro Blog: Mark Johnson

Good Ole Mark Johnson, he played center for the 1980 Olympic hockey team and in a strange twist of fate he coached the 2010 women's hockey Olympic team. Mark "Magic" Johnson was born on September 22, 1957 in Minneapolis Minnesota but was raised in Madison Wisconsin. Mark played for the University of Wisconsin for three years. While he was there his dad, Bob Johnson, was the coach. In 1977 (his first year at the university) the team won the NCAA national championship and Mark won rookie of the year. He was also the schools 2ND all time scorer and a 2 time all American. In 1976 he played 11 training games with the US national team for the Olympics. In all he played in at least 8 world Championships, 3 Canada cups and 2 Olympics (including 1980). In the Miracle on ice game of 1980 Johnson scored 2 of the 4 goals, 1 of the goals caused the soviet coach to pull the goalie from the game. One thing I wondered is if Johnson kept the puck? You see coach told the boys that if you scored on the Soviet goalie you need to keep the puck because it doesn't happen that often, if at all. After the Olympics Mark went on to play in the NHL for 5 teams including the New Jersey Devils and the Pittsburgh penguins. Since then Mark has become coach Johnson! He coaches at the university he used to play for but he coaches the women's team there. Before being the head coach for the women he was assistant coach for the men for about 6 years. In 2006 he was named the head coach for the American women's hockey team and in 2010 he lead the team to a silver medal loosing of course to Canada! In the 1981 made for T.V. movie he was played by Michael Cummings then in the 2004 movie Miracle he was played by Eric Peter-Kaiser. Eric and Mark were so much a like that Mark's wife told them they were freaking her out because they were so much alike. I think that is a HUGE compliment! SO Coach Johnson, I thank you for inspiring the country in 1980, and then coaching our girls in 2010. Best of luck to you in the future.

Retro Bio--- Mike Eruzione

Mike Eruzione, or Ritz, was the captian of the 1980 olympic hockey team coached by Herb Brooks. Mike was born on October 25, 1954 in Winthrop Massachussettes. He was the captain of his high school Varsity team. Ritz attended both Berwick Acedamy and Boston University. He went on to play for the USA national team for the '75 and '76 world Championships, then played for the Toledo goal diggers in the IHL. He won the rookie of the year award while playing in Toledo and lead his team to the turner cup 1978. He played 2 years in toledo then scored the winning goal in the miracle on ice game. The goal was voted the best highlight on ESPN in 2008. Ritz turned down a contract with the rangers after the olympics to retire. He went on to announce at Rangers and Devils games for the USA network and for 5 Olympic games. Ritz currently works at Boston University as director of special outreach he was the assistant coach for 3 seasons at boston college. He's the member of many halls of fames and is part owner of the USHL Omaha Lancers. He's a motivational speaker and helps the Winthrop High School hockey team. In 2007 he appeared on the TV show "I got a secret", his secret was that he was the captain of the 1980 Olympic hockey team. In the 1981 made for TV movie "miracle on ice" he was played by Andrew Stevens but was played by Patrcik O'Brien Dempsey.

Retro blog Herb Brooks

To continue what I started before the Olympics of 2010 I wanted to honor the man who kinda made the miracle on ice possible, the coach. Coach Herb Brooks is one of the best coaches in the history of the game. Sadly I never got to meet him he coached before I was born and died in 2003 shortly after production of the movie about his 1980 Olympic team, Miracle. He was only 66 when he died but you could only imagine all of what he could tell you if you sat and listened. Coach was born August 5, 1837 in St Paul Minnesota and played Hockey and baseball at Johnson High School. His high school hockey team won state in 1955 while he was on the team. Herb went on to play for the university of Minnesota from 1955-1959 and almost played for the 1960 Olympic team but was cut a week before the games (USA won gold that year). The night USA won gold in 1960 Herbs Brooks Sr. told Herb that "it looks like coach Riley cut the right guy"!! Could you imagine your dad saying that to you about you? It would be awful!! From 1960-1970 Herb played in 8 Olympics and world championships. Coach Herb Coached at the University of Minnesota leading them to the NCAA Championships in 1974, 1976 and 1979. In 1983 Herb had the oppurinity to coach at Michigian tech but turned it down to coach at St Cloud state Unoversity. Of course we all know that in 1980 he coached the Olympic team but did you know that he was the 1st American coach to lead a hand picked team to victory against the soviets in 20 years? After the Olympics he moved to Switzerland to coach for a year. He then coached the Rangers from 1981-1985 becoming the 1st american born coach in Ranger's history to win 100 games. He was also the coach for the Minnesotta North stars, New jersey devils, the Pittsburg penguins and the 1998 French olympic hockey team. Herb returned to coaching US olympic hockey in 2002. He was inducted into the US hockey hall of fame in 1990, the international hockey hall of fame in 1999 and then the hockey hall of fame in 2006. Coach Herb will be remembered forever as america's coach. He died August 11, 2003 when he fell asleep driving not wearing his seatbelt sadely he may have survived if he did wear it. He will be missed! Rest in piece coach!!

Retro Bio- Jack O'callahan

Jack O'Callahan (OC), oh goodness where to start? OC was known as the guy who'd be the 1st to drop glove, even fighting during practice when he played for the Olympic team. Time for the basics of this "bad boy". He was born on July 2 1957 in Charlestown Massachusetts. He graduated from Boston latin school in 1975 and then attended boston university from 1975-1979 where he was the team captian for 2 seasons (1977-1978 & 1978-1979). He was also a 2 time all star, All New england, All american, 2 time team MVP, beanpot MVP, NCAA tournament MVP and a 2 time Cochrane award winner. OC played for team USA at the 1979 world championships. In 1980 he played for the US Oylmpic hockey team but was hurt in an exhibition game and returned for the miracle on ice game where he tied the scpre at 1 by putting a massive hit on a soviet and setting up Buzz. OC was drafted by the black hawks in 1977 but played with the AHL New Brunswick team 1st after the 1980 olympics. He did eventually play for the black hawks from 195-1987 and then played for the NJ devils. OC retired after the 1989 world championships. He returned to Chicago and works in Financial Services on the Chicago Mercantile exchange. He also founded beanpot finanicial services with Jack Hughes who played in the NHL. In a 1981 T.V. movie he was played by Peter Horton but then in 2004 he was played by Michael Mantanuto. Michael played for Boston U and university of maine. He got the part of OC after he got into a fight at tryouts. OC was tough but talented so he would be most like Alexander Oviechkin, Dan Sullivan, Tim Miller, Michael Couch, Eric Boulton, Myles Stoesz and Boris Valabik (among others like them).

Retro Bio Jim Craig

What's to be said about good old Jimmy? This guy is what got me thinking about playing goalie. This 52 year young goalie was born May 31, 1957 in Easton Massachusetts. He played at Boston University and led Boston to the championship in 1978. He was the NCAA all star in 1979 and was inducted to the schools hall of fame in 1989. In 1980 Jim played goalie for the US team in the olypmics (which was his mom's dream). In the "miracle on the ice" game against the Soviets Criag deflected 36 of 39 shots. After the game (which they won in an upset) a flag was put around his shoulders while he was looking for his dad and the flag is now in the sports museum of America in NY. Jim was drafted by the Atlanta flames in 1977 but didn't play for them until after the olympic break in 1980. In the 1980-1981 season he played for the Boston Bruins. He played for the national team for the 1981 Canada cup but missed the tournament because of an injury. He spent the next sason with the Erie blades (a minor league team). In 1983 he played for the US again but this time it was in the IIHF pool B tournment in which he was named goaltender of the tournment. The Minnesota North Stars signed him to a free agent contract and he played in 1984 beofre retiring from hockey. He is now in high demand as a motivational speaker, spokesperson, marketing and sales strategist. Jim was also a sales and marketing ezecutive and strategist. He is the president for a promotions and marketing firm called gold medal strategies. Jim was played by Steve Guttenburg in a 1981 made for T.V. movie. He was also played by Eddie Cahill in the 2004 film Miracle. Eddie also played in Friends and CSI:New York. Today we have a few people who play like him or have made "Craig like plays". The boys who play like Craig include (but not limited to) Danny Turple, Craig Kallawski, Ondrej Pavelec, and Kari L. (when he is not hurt). Danny can sympothise with Jim about being moved around lot. All the boys named have the fluid butterfly, dive for the puck style Jim had. I was told that I should mention that in a recent game Johan Hedberg, also known as Moose, made a save that was pretty spectacular and there for Jim like. Jim was an amazing goalie and I wish so much that I could have seen him play. I also wish that I could meet him. Thanks Jimmy for inspiring the country when we needed it the most.

30 years since the Miracle

In 1980 (6 years before I was born) a bunch of 19-25 year old American boys were heading to lake placid to play some older guys from around of the world, the USA team had no bussiness playing anyone but especially the Soviet (it would be like the UGA hockey team playing the capitals).They held try-outs and Coach Herb Brooks supposedly had his long list in the matter

of 1 or 2 days. He wanted boys he could mold using the school of thoughts and training used by many teams they would be playing against- I like that idea try beating people by copying their style. That's one of the main differences between the US team and the ugly Soviets- the Soviets trained and trained hard, our boys were relying on their talent. Another difference is that the Soviets played together for years , the Americans played against each other most of the time and maybe played with one of their Olypimic team mates in college. This little fact provided for a crazy moment in practice when Jack O Callahan cheap shot Rob Mcclanahan - which resulted in a fight. You see O' Callahan still had a gruge against Mcclanahan for cheap shooting him in college and "stealing the championship ring" off his finger. The Olympics would test these boys but the nation needed a distraction and hope, the whole world did. The Soviets and the US were in the middle of a cold war and the Soviets had invaded Afaghanistan which caused people to think that the Soviets wouldn't show up but they were favorites to win. The world was insane and alot of what the world was going through is what we are going through or what we have been through recently (remember the gas "outtage" of 2008, yeah there was one in 1980 too). The Soviets had only lost 1 gold medal since 1956 and that was to the US in 1960. The Soviets were classed as amateurs but a lot of the players were professionals. They were crazythey won at least 5 of the 9 games they played against NHL teams. When Soviets played the US for an exahibition game and won 10-3. It was a different story in the Olympics, the boys beat Czechosloviakia (7-3), Norway (5-1), Romania (7-2), West germany (4-2) and tied Sweden all coming from behind of course. As for the Soviets they beat Japan (16-0), Poland (8-1), Finland (4-2), and Canada (6-4). When the 2 teams met USA fell behind quickly but of course ended up performing the miracle by winning 4-3. Our boys went on to beat Finland (coming from behind yet again) to win the gold medal. To honor the miracle I was going to profile a few key boys and the amazing coach who somewhere around 2002 passed away. This is for them!