RIP Mark Wells

Important member of the 1980 Miracle on Ice gold medalists. Still (IMHO) the greatest team accomplishment in the history of sports in the United States.

Mark Wells, Miracle on Ice Olympic hockey gold medalist, dies at 66 (msn.com)

 

RIP. I still idolize all those guys although I was never what you would call a huge hockey fan. Micro, I agree with you 100 percent about being the greatest team accomplishment; of course, younger fans who look at it through the scope of today's Olympics still don't quite understand what that meant. I remember explaining it to a relative of mine: "Imagine if your local high school football team made it to the state championship and had to play the Patriots" (This of course being during Tom Brady's heyday).

I think that makes it three down as far as players on the 1980 squad: Wells follows Bob Suter and Mark Pavelich. And then there's also Herb Brooks.

 

I'm no hockey expert, but that's pretty good for a guy on the fourth line, right?

 

Calling them a good high school team is understating the talent on that team. At least half a dozen had long and productive NHL careers. 1980 Miracle On Ice Olympic Players that went to the NHL - Reel Faces

An achievement that opened the door for many more US college hockey players to get a shot in the NHL. In the 1979-1980 season, 84.2% of all players were Canadian (which is lower than I thought). https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/nationality-totals/nhl-players-1979-80-stats.html. This year it was 42%.

 

I think a more valid comparison would be asking a college all-star team to defeat the greatest NFL team of all time.

 

Sold his gold medal to pay for medical expenses.

 

USA! USA! USA!