LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Fourteen of the 19 remaining 1980 USA Hockey team players will be back in Lake Placid, N.Y., Sunday through Wednesday, March 26-30, to participate in the third annual Miracle on Ice Fantasy Camp.

The Fantasy Camp, which brings together hockey enthusiasts and America’s most beloved hockey team, takes place in the exact arena where the U.S. squad upset the favored Soviet Union 4-3, before beating Finland en route to the improbable Olympic gold medal.

Of course for the 56 “campers” participating, 30 of whom are returning from last year’s camp, it’s about hockey, but there’s much more. It’s a chance to bond with other hockey enthusiasts and many of the same players who shocked the world for those two weeks in February 1980.

The four-day camp, costing $5,495 per person, includes  lodging at the High Peaks Resort, tournament games, a bobsled ride, home and away replica 1980 USA Hockey game jerseys, a highlight video and “inside” stories from each of the players as they remember their Olympic experiences 37 years ago.

“It’s great for the people to come up to experience Lake Placid – it’s such a great place and such a big part of our lives,” said team captain Mike Eruzione. 

“The camp is a tremendous time for not only the ‘campers,’ but for the team too. It’s just as exciting for me as it is for them,” he concluded.

“The Camp far exceeded anything I could have imagined.  The accommodations, food, events, people, service, etc. were first class all the way,” remarked Anthony Petrucci after last year’s camp. 

Petrucci added, “The opportunity to meet and mingle with the Olympians and play in the Herb Brooks Arena was mind boggling.  This was so much fun and the best experience of my life…worth every last penny and then some.”

Eruzione will be back for year three, as will Neal Broten, Dave Christian, John Harrington, Steve Janaszak, Mark Johnson, Ken Morrow, Mike Ramsey, Buzz Schneider and Mark Wells.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” noted Schneider, who also played on the 1976 squad.  “Any time that I can get back to Lake Placid with my teammates and with this camp is very special to me. I return to Lake Placid often, but it’s this experience I look forward to the most.”

Mark Pavlich, Eric Stroebel and the 1980 hockey team’s assistant coach Craig Patrick return for the second time, while Gary Smith, the team’s athletic trainer during the Games, and Jim Craig, the team’s backstop, are looking forward to participating in their first fantasy camp. Craig last visited Lake Placid Feb. 22, 2015 during the squad’s 35^th anniversary celebration. 

To learn more about the Miracle on Ice Fantasy Camp visit www.MiracleonIceFantasyCamp.com. Follow the camp on Twitter, @1980HockeyCamp and on Facebook, MiracleonIceFantasyCamp.

Media Advisory: Photos from the inaugural Miracle on Ice Fantasy Camp can be found by logging onto https://www.flickr.com/photos/whitefacemountain/sets/72157651152976058. Photos courtesy ORDA/ Whiteface Lake Placid.

Media planning on covering the Fantasy Camp, contact Jon Lundin, ORDA communications, Email: JLundin@orda.org, Tel: 518-523-1655.

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