MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, 13 August 2003 — Herb Brooks, the legendary US Olympic hockey coach who orchestrated the “Miracle on Ice” triumph in 1980 over the Soviet Union, was killed Monday afternoon in a single-car accident.
Brooks, 66, was driving alone when his vehicle rolled over and he was ejected on Interstate 35 near Forest Lake, according to a statement from the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
No other vehicles were involved in the accident. Brooks is survived by his wife, Patti, and two children.
Brooks forever will be known for coaching a group of American college players to a stunning upset of the powerful Soviet Union en route to an improbable gold medal in the 1980 Olympics at Lake Placid, New York.
“Herb Brooks is synonymous with American hockey, and those of us lucky enough to be around him learned something from him every day,” said Penguins general manager Craig Patrick, who served as Brooks’ assistant on the 1980 Olympic team. The 4-3 semifinal victory on Feb. 22, against the backdrop of the Cold War, is considered by many in the United States to be among the greatest sports moments of the 20th century.
How improbable was the upset? Three days before the Olympics began, the US was steamrolled by the same Soviet team 10-3 in an exhibition at Madison Square Garden.
But Brooks inspired his overmatched players before the semifinal meeting, telling them, “You’re meant to be here. This moment is yours.” Two days after shocking the Soviets, the USA beat Finland for the gold medal.
Elected to the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990, Brooks returned to the Olympics in 2002, coaching a team of US NHL players to a silver medal.
In the NHL, Brooks coached four teams - the New York Rangers (1981-85), Minnesota North Stars (1987-88), New Jersey Devils (1992-93) and Pittsburgh Penguins (1999-2000) - and compiled an overall record of 219-222-66.
He had spent the last eight years with the Penguins, serving as a scout, coach and director of player development.
“Herbie loved the game, he lived the game, and his contributions to the Penguins over the last eight years have been immeasurable,” Patrick said. “He will be sorely missed.” Brooks turned down an offer to return as coach of the Rangers before the 2002-03 season.
“The New York Rangers organization is shocked and deeply saddened by the death of Herb Brooks,” Rangers general manager Glen Sather said. “He was not only a great friend and colleague in the world of hockey, but more importantly, he was a wonderful person who will be missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Born in St. Paul, Brooks coached the University of Minnesota from 1972-79 and led the Golden Gophers to three collegiate titles.
“Herb Brooks was a great innovator of the sport of hockey and it was a great privilege to be able to play for him at the University of Minnesota and for the 1980 Olympic team,”
Minnesota Wild assistant Mike Ramsey said. “Herb will be greatly missed in the hockey world.” Not many will remember Brooks being named NHL Coach of the Year in 1982 after guiding the Rangers to a 39-27-14 record. But he never came close to winning the Stanley Cup.
Many factors played into the impact in the United States of the “Miracle on Ice”.
Ironically, Brooks was the last player cut on the 1960 US gold medal team. He made the 1964 and 1968 Olympic teams.
“People forget he was a very good hockey player, and was a member of the 1964 and 1968 Olympic teams,” said USA Hockey chairman Walter Bush jnr. “He turned his playing ability, passion and personality into a great coaching career. It is tragic we have prematurely lost a friend who has given so much to hockey in the United States,” Bush said.
