The Making of the “Miracle on Ice” - an Interview with Hockey Hall of Famer Lou Nanne
Lou Nanne
For two weeks in February of 1980, twenty young athletes determined to do the impossible, gave the United States a respite from the Cold War, the economic malaise of the 1970s, and the hostage crisis in Iran. In arguably the greatest upset in sports history, the 1980 United States Olympic Hockey Team defeated the Soviet Union and then went on to clinch the gold medal against Finland. The sports world was shocked and the “Miracle on Ice” was complete.
In this interview, Lou Nanne, a key influencer of the team, takes us back nearly 40 years and tells the story of the 1980 “Miracle” team, his involvement in securing Herb Brooks as the head coach of the Olympic team, and how the team was best prepared to face the international competition through innovative practice routines and training methods. Lou describes the nervousness and atmosphere during the game against the Soviet Union and the reactions afterwards. He also reminds us of how isolated players and fans were in Lake Placid during the Olympic Games. Social media didn’t exist, games were not televised live, and there was very little indication of what the rest of the world knew or felt about this historical run.
Lou Nanne has been a leading figure in the hockey community for decades. Lou was captain of the 1968 United States Olympic Hockey team. Later he played, coached, and served as general manager for the Minnesota North Stars. Lou is a member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame and the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame. He has also been awarded the Lester Patrick trophy for his impact on the sport of hockey.
Topics Discussed in Part One: Lou’s athletic career, becoming coach for the Minnesota North Stars, the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team, involving Herb Brooks in coaching and the Olympic Team, placing the Olympic Team into the Central League for training and exposure, innovative conditioning routines for the Olympic team, Team USA as an underdog in 1980, building team chemistry
Topics Discussed in Part Two: Madison Square Garden Exhibition Game, Expectations for the 1980 US Hockey team, media coverage of the Olympic games, the atmosphere before the game against the Soviets, Herb Brooks as a coach, winning against the Soviets, wearing the Team USA jersey, becoming an American citizen, managing the North Stars, talent selection for hockey prospects, playing with injuries, drafting young players that are undeveloped, transitioning to a management role for your former peers, applying lessons from hockey to the business world, recognizing the importance of teamwork in success, motivating your team, going to college for dentistry (and to play hockey).
People, Organizations and Resources Mentioned: University of Minnesota, John Mariucci, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, US Olympic Hockey Team, Herb Brooks, Glen Sonmor, Marsh Ryman, Walter Bush, Central League, Bud Poile, Russian Hockey Team, Chuck Blatherwick, 1972 Summit Series, Canadian All-Star Team, 1980 Olympics, Madison Square Gardens, Lake Placid NY, Bud Grant, Minnesota Vikings, Tom McCarthy, Wayne Gretzky, John Ferguson, Montreal Canadiens
To watch the 1980 Olympic Hockey Game between USA and USSR, click here.
“No one knew the ceiling that they could reach. And they just were so well conditioned, so well coached, so well prepared, that they reached levels that were truly unexpected.”
-Lou Nanne on the victory of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey team and the keys to their success.