LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Fifteen of the 19 remaining 1980 USA Hockey team players will be back in Lake Placid, N.Y., Sunday through Wednesday, March 25-28, to participate in the fourth 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 65 “campers” participating, 45 of whom are returning from last year’s camp and 20 rookies, 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 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 38 years ago.

“Just the most amazing experience, worth the long trip from South Africa as I got to meet the most amazing people from all walks of life with one passion, hockey,” said Tamsin Wentzel, who traveled from Port Elizabeth, South Africa to participate in last year’s camp. “The heroes of the 1980 team were so great, unbelievable experience to play with them. The organization and dedication of those who run the camp is mind blowing with surprises around every corner...thank you and I am returning for this year’s camp."

U.S. Olympic team captain Mike Eruzione will be back for year four, as well Neal Broten, Dave Christian, John Harrington, Steve Janaszak, Mark Johnson, Ken Morrow, Mike Ramsey, Buzz Schneider and Mark Wells. Mark Pavlich, Rob McClanahan Dave Silk and Eric Strobel also return.  

Added to this year’s line-up of coaches is Ralph Cox. Cox, the 1979 ECAC Player of the Year at the University of New Hampshire, was a member of the 1979 U.S. national team and suffered a broken ankle in a game against Poland, one month before the Olympic team tryouts. He was the final player coach Herb Brooks cut before the Olympic tournament.

Cox played seven seasons of professional hockey and joined the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins as a scout, where he won two Stanley Cup rings, in 1991 and 1992.

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 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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