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The New York Rangers and the “Miracle on Ice”

By Steve Paulus

LAKE PLACID, NY - FEBRUARY 22: The United States Hockey team celebrates after they defeated the Soviet Union during a metal round game of the Winter Olympics February 22, 1980 at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York. The game was named "The Miracle On Ice" as the United States defeated the Soviet Union 4-3. . (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
LAKE PLACID, NY - FEBRUARY 22: The United States Hockey team celebrates after they defeated the Soviet Union during a metal round game of the Winter Olympics February 22, 1980 at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York. The game was named "The Miracle On Ice" as the United States defeated the Soviet Union 4-3. . (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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US Olympic ‘Miracle on Ice’ gold medal from the 1980 US Winter Olympic games
US Olympic ‘Miracle on Ice’ gold medal from the 1980 US Winter Olympic games /

Post script

Craig Patrick was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder.

Rob McClanahan is the head coach of The Blake School hockey team in Minneapolis.

Dave Silk works in the investment banking industry.

Bill Baker was an oral surgeon before retiring.

Mark Pavelich was arrested for assault last August and is undergoing  treatment in a Minnesota state psychiatric facility. He had been a recluse for years before the incident last year. His family is convinced that he is suffering from CTE after repeated head injuries.

Herb Brooks was killed in a car accident on an interstate in Minnesota on August 11, 2003.  He was not wearing a seat belt and it is believed that he fell asleep at the wheel.  He was posthumously inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

In a break from tradition, Brooks was one of the few Olympics coaches to get a gold medal.  Despite the role that coaches play  they do not get medals, that is just for the athletes.  In 1980, the International Olympic Committee decided to give Brooks a gold medal  because of the role he played in what has been recognized as one of the greatest athletic achievements of all time. .

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