Team USA is basking in the glory of their triumphant return from Milan, proudly bringing home gold medals from the Winter Olympics. As stars like Auston Matthews gear up to dive back into NHL action, the legacy of this victorious squad is already sparking conversations.
Al Michaels, a voice synonymous with iconic sports moments, recently weighed in on the impact of this gold medal win while appearing on the Dan Patrick Show. He drew parallels to the legendary 1980 ‘Miracle on Ice’ team and its influence on American hockey.
Reflecting on the past, Michaels shared, “Back in the 50s and 60s, when I was a kid in New York, the NHL had just a handful of American-born players. Fast forward to 1980, and only about 8% of the league was American.
Today, that number has soared to 30%. The '80 team sparked a fire, and yesterday's win is set to do the same, inspiring more kids to pick up the sport.”
The growth in American hockey post-1980 is undeniable. Research highlights a significant jump in US-born players in the NHL, climbing from just over ten percent to nearly 30 percent today. Michaels also noted another surge in the early 2000s, particularly in states not traditionally known for hockey.
“Now, hockey is played nationwide. When I was young, top NHL draft picks hailed from places like Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
But a pivotal moment was when Auston Matthews, an American, was drafted first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Matthews, who shone in the Olympics, grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona,” Michaels elaborated.
Matthews’ journey is a testament to hockey’s expanding reach. Born in 1997 in California, Matthews moved to Arizona before his first birthday.
His love for the game was ignited by attending Phoenix Coyotes games as a child, starting to play around age five. Though he was born long after the Miracle on Ice, the 1980 team’s influence clearly paved the way.
Michaels continued, “The 1980 win definitely got more kids interested. Documentaries and movies like HBO’s 2001 feature and 2004’s 'Miracle' with Kurt Russell have kept that spirit alive.”
The ripple effect of the 1980 gold medal team led to a surge in USA Hockey membership, a trend that saw another boost two decades later. With this latest victory, there’s hope that history will repeat itself, potentially shortening the wait for another gold in men’s hockey at the Winter Olympics.
As we celebrate Team USA’s success in 2026, the future looks bright for American hockey, with a new generation ready to take to the ice.