Mike Eruzione
Olympic Gold Medalist
Mike Eruzione is a 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey gold medalist, captain of the legendary “Miracle on Ice” team, and highly sought-after motivational speaker. A native of Winthrop, Massachusetts, Eruzione captained Team USA to one of the greatest upsets in sports history at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.
Eruzione played four seasons of collegiate hockey at Boston University, where he averaged more than 20 goals per season. After graduating, he played professionally in the International Hockey League with the Toledo Goaldiggers. In 1978, he was named IHL Rookie of the Year and helped lead the team to a Turner Cup Championship.
Following his second season in Toledo, Eruzione was named captain of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. During the Olympics, he scored the game-winning goal against the Soviet Union in the semifinal that became known as the “Miracle on Ice.” Team USA went on to defeat Finland in the gold medal game, completing one of the most iconic moments in Olympic and sports history.
Eruzione retired from competitive hockey following the 1980 Olympics and has since dedicated his career to sharing the lessons he learned through hockey and his Olympic experience. He is a member of multiple halls of fame and, during the 2002 Winter Olympics, he and his 1980 teammates were honored by lighting the Olympic torch.
Today, Eruzione serves as Director of Special Outreach at Boston University, his alma mater, and is a nationally recognized motivational, leadership, and inspirational speaker. Drawing on his experience as the captain of the “Miracle on Ice” team, Eruzione delivers engaging presentations on leadership, teamwork, perseverance, overcoming adversity, resilience, and achieving success against the odds.
