Mike Eruzione who was the team captain of the USA Miracle on Ice hockey team in 1980 turns 58 today. Eruzione scored the game winning goal against the Soviet Union in that “Miracle On Ice” game.

Eruzione played his college ball at Boston University. His college coach called him “Pete Rose on skates” Eruzione was not the most talented player on the Team USA, far from it. He wasn’t drafted by an NHL team. But he was a hustling, tough player who had great leadership qualities. His scoring of the game winning goal vs the Soviets in the 1980 Olympics was voted by ESPN views the sports highlight of the century by ESPN viewers. Hard to argue against that.

Eruzioine retired from playing hockey after the 1980 Olympics. He has been a hockey announcer and motivational speaker over the years since 1980.  He gave a brief speech at the 2012 Republican Convention for Mitt Romney.