Comments on: Auction for Mike Eruzione’s ‘Miracle on Ice’ gear fetches over $1.3M

By: mianfr

mianfr — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:51:31 +0000

I think he was right, and he did peak, and it wasn’t worth it to prolong getting where you’ll end up in life anyway to ride buses under constant scrutiny for too long.

You have to remember, this wasn’t like the Giants beating the 16-0 Patriots or Appalachian State beating Michigan. It’s called the “Miracle on Ice” because the disparity was so unfathomably huge… It was a bunch of American college-age kids beating seasoned veterans on the best program in the world, and one of the best in history. It wasn’t a bunch of future stars putting it all together earlier than expected.

I always thought a somewhat reasonable comparison in today’s sports landscape would be if the top squad you can make from NCAA Men’s Soccer were able to knock off FC Barcelona in a competitive match (I think the NCAA is more reflective of where US Hockey was at the time rather than the current USA U-20 team, which really is a pretty strong program at this point).

By: dprouse

dprouse — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 19:26:16 +0000

This isn’t unusual – Guy Lafleur sold off a bunch of his stuff a few years ago, and others have done the same. I think they reach a stage in their lives (late 50s or so) where they look at all that stuff and ask, “What the heck am I ever going to do with it?” Not coincidentally, it seems to come at an age in people’s lives when many are thinking about downsizing. Might as well turn it into cash so you can help your family and/or enjoy it while you still can.

By: ironmike778

ironmike778 — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 16:59:32 +0000

Who are you guys to judge what he should have done after the Olympics?? When you consider he was very fortunate to even make that team then odds are VERY GOOD he did peak at Lake Placid. He’s made a good life for himself and I believe his reasons are genuine for auctioning this stuff off. Nothing but respect for “Rizzo”.

By: dawglb

dawglb — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 15:38:22 +0000

Good for him. He reached the top of his sport (in the amateur status). He has made somewhat of a career out of being a public speaker, I feel sure. Selling those items is his right and choice.

By: tlndma

tlndma — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 12:40:59 +0000

He had already spent a couple years riding buses in the minors. My guess is he knew his ceiling as a hockey player. The younger guys on the team were the more talented ones.

By: thehighcountrybear

thehighcountrybear — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 09:48:58 +0000

Talk is he needed the extra cash to help pay down part of the veterinarian’s bill when his cat was feeling poorly…?

By: stakex

stakex — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 05:12:37 +0000

So true. Its one thing if he simply didn’t like hockey enough to do it for a living… but to turn down an NHL career because you won a gold medal and felt that was the pinnacle of your hockey career? That doesn’t make sense to me. Guys play hockey to achieve great goals yes, but also (and probably mostly) because its a very lucrative career playing a game.

Also, if he wants to leave a nest egg for his family and doesn’t need the money now he could have just let them sell the items when he dies. They would have been worth a lot more at that point.

By: esracerx46

esracerx46 — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 04:54:25 +0000

If he would have just signed one of the handful of NHL contracts he had offered to him, he could have left his family a decent nest egg. I understand (kind of) why he didnt, but I would have.