Herb Brooks

Herb Brooks
Herb Brooks
Born	Herbert Paul Brooks; 5 August 1937 (age 89); Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	11 August 2003 (aged 66); Near Forest Lake, Minnesota, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Ice hockey player, coach, scout, director of player personnel
Years active	1960–2003
Known for	Coaching the 1980 U.S. Olympic "Miracle on Ice" team; coaching NHL teams; international coaching

Herbert Paul Brooks (August 5, 1937 – August 11, 2003) was a prominent figure in American ice hockey, celebrated primarily for coaching the U.S. Olympic team that secured the gold medal at the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid. His leadership was instrumental in orchestrating the legendary victory over the heavily favored Soviet squad, an event famously dubbed the "Miracle on Ice."

Brooks' coaching career extended beyond the Olympics, including tenures with multiple NHL franchises and leading the French national team during the 1998 Winter Olympics. He later returned to guide the U.S. men's hockey team to a silver medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. At the time of his passing in 2003, Brooks held the position of director of player personnel for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

His contributions to hockey were recognized through inductions into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame (1990), IIHF Hall of Fame (1999), and posthumous honors such as the Wayne Gretzky International Award (2004) and induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame (2006).

Early years

Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota to Pauline and Herbert David Brooks, he attended Johnson High School, where he was part of the team that captured the state ice hockey championship in 1955.

Brooks played collegiate hockey with the University of Minnesota Gophers from 1955 through 1959. Although selected for the 1960 Olympic team initially, he was ultimately the final player cut before the Games commenced. Witnessing his former teammates win gold fueled his determination.

Between 1960 and 1970, Brooks represented the U.S. national team on eight occasions, including participation at both the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics. During the 1961–62 season with the Rochester Mustangs in the United States Hockey League, he formed part of what was then recognized as the highest-scoring forward line in USHL history alongside Bill Reichart and Ken Johannson.

Coaching career

Following his playing days, Brooks initially pursued a career in insurance before being persuaded by Lou Nanne to enter coaching. He began by leading the Minnesota Golden Gophers freshmen squad in 1970 and subsequently coached the Minnesota Junior Stars during 1971–72. In 1972, he was appointed head coach of Minnesota’s varsity team, steering them to NCAA titles in 1974, 1976, and 1979. Notably, nine members from his 1979 championship roster were chosen for the U.S. Olympic squad he would soon coach.

Brooks secured the Olympic coaching role after advocacy from Nanne and USA Hockey executive Walter Bush, following Jack Parker’s decision to decline. His player selections predominantly came from Minnesota, Boston University, and Wisconsin programs. To prepare for facing a dominant Soviet team, Brooks prioritized exceptional physical conditioning by working closely with Jack Blatherwick on comprehensive fitness assessments and training regimens. Shifts during games were limited to approximately 40 seconds to preserve energy. The rigorous preparation included a demanding "Herbie" sprint drill—a tough endurance exercise familiar to Minnesota players. Before entering Olympic competition, his U.S. squad competed in 63 games, including a substantial loss (10–3) against the Soviets just two weeks prior. At Lake Placid, after an undefeated preliminary round, Brooks’ team achieved a historic upset with a 4–3 victory over the Soviets and ultimately clinched gold by defeating Finland.

In the aftermath of Olympic triumph, Brooks briefly coached HC Davos in Switzerland but resigned amid criticism regarding both team results and practice methods. From 1981 until 1985, he served as head coach of the NHL’s New York Rangers—becoming their first American-born coach to reach 100 wins—but was dismissed during a difficult season marked by internal discord.

After unsuccessful contract talks with the Minnesota North Stars in 1985, Brooks left coaching temporarily to work in sales for memorabilia firm Jostens. He returned to coaching in 1986 at St. Cloud State University, where he played a pivotal role in elevating their hockey program from NCAA Division II to Division I status and led fundraising efforts for constructing a new Olympic-sized rink. His single season there set program records and advanced postseason success; Brooks later described this period as his most rewarding coaching experience.

Brooks re-entered NHL coaching with the Minnesota North Stars in 1987 but was released after one season due to unsatisfactory performance despite narrowly missing playoff qualification. In 1991, he took charge of the AHL’s Utica Devils before being promoted in 1992 to head coach of the NHL New Jersey Devils. Emphasizing youth development and speed on ice, he encountered conflicts with key players and management; although achieving a winning record and playoff berth, he resigned in 1993 over disagreements regarding team direction—preceding their first Stanley Cup victory two years later.

Joining the Pittsburgh Penguins as a scout initially, Brooks was named head coach during a midseason change in December 1999. His tenure was marred by controversy including suspension following an altercation with a broadcaster; he stepped down after that season but resumed scouting duties thereafter. In 2002, he declined an offer to coach the New York Rangers and instead became Director of Player Development for Pittsburgh.

On an international stage, Brooks led Team France at the 1998 Winter Olympics before returning to coach Team USA at Salt Lake City in 2002 alongside GM Craig Patrick. Despite limited preparation time due to NHL commitments, his squad earned silver after defeating Russia in semifinals—exactly twenty-two years after their iconic victory over that nation—before falling to Canada in the final.

Brooks’ legacy includes induction into multiple halls of fame: United States Hockey Hall of Fame (1990), IIHF Hall of Fame (1999), posthumous receipt of Wayne Gretzky International Award (2004), and entry into Hockey Hall of Fame (2006).

Broadcasting career

Following his termination by the Minnesota North Stars, Brooks dedicated two years to working as a television color analyst for SportsChannel America, partnering with Jiggs McDonald.

Personal life

In 1965, Brooks wed Patricia Lane, commonly known as Patti. Together, they raised two children named Dan and Kelly.

Death and legacy

Brooks passed away on August 11, 2003, just six days after celebrating his 66th birthday. The fatal single-vehicle crash occurred on Interstate 35 near Forest Lake, Minnesota. Investigations suggest he likely fell asleep while driving; toxicology reports confirmed no involvement of drugs or alcohol. At the time of the accident, Brooks was not restrained by a seat belt, which the Minnesota State Patrol indicated might have prevented his death.

George Nagobads, who served as team physician during Brooks' coaching years with both the US men's national squad and the Minnesota Golden Gophers, remarked that Brooks regarded his players as members of his own family.

In 2004, Miracle was released by Disney, featuring Kurt Russell portraying Brooks. He contributed as a consultant throughout the production, which concluded shortly before his passing. The movie ends with a dedication stating: "He never saw it. He lived it." Earlier, in the 1981 TV film Miracle on Ice, Brooks was played by Karl Malden.

On the 25th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice victory, the Olympic ice rink in Lake Placid, New York, where the US secured gold, was renamed Herb Brooks Arena. In 2017, a new statue honoring Brooks was unveiled in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota, replacing an earlier smaller statue that was relocated to the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota, a venue he actively supported. The Herb Brooks Award is annually bestowed at the conclusion of the Minnesota State High School League state hockey championship to a player exemplifying Brooks’ principles and character.

The Herb Brooks Training Center is situated in Blaine, Minnesota. Additionally, in April 2013, the National Hockey Center at St. Cloud State University received its name in tribute to him.

Brooks was posthumously inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2006 under the Builders category, with an inscription honoring his dedication and inspirational impact on Americans chasing their dreams.

Brooksisms

Brooks was known for distinctive sayings termed "Brooksisms," which were well-known among his players and featured prominently in Miracle. Olympians John Harrington, Dave Silk, and Mike Eruzione recall several notable examples:

"You were born to play. You belong here. This moment is yours."
"Create your own story instead of following someone else’s guide to success."
"Coaching has always been like being a king. It prepares you for absolutely nothing."

College

†From 1959 to 1981, Minnesota participated in both the Big Ten and WCHA conferences

NHL

Note: G = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points

Team	Season	Regular Season						Playoffs
Team	Season	G	W	L	T	Pts	Standing	Outcome
NYR	1981–82	80	39	27	14	92	2nd place in Patrick	Eliminated in Division Finals (NYI)
NYR	1982–83	80	35	35	10	80	Finished 4th in Patrick	Exited Division Finals (NYI)
NYR	1983–84	80	42	29	9	93	Ranked 4th in Patrick	Lost Division Semifinals (NYI)
NYR	1984–85	45	15	22	8	(38)	(dismissed)	—
MIN	1987–88	80	19	48	13	51	Placed 5th in Norris	Did not qualify for playoffs
NJ	1992–93	84	40	37	7	87	Finished 4th in Patrick	Lost Division Semifinals (PIT)
PIT	1999–2000	58	29	24	5	(63)	Ranked 3rd in Atlantic	Eliminated Conference Semifinals (PHI)
Career totals		507	219	222	66	504		Participated in playoffs five times

Other leagues

Note: GC = Games coached, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points earned, Pct = Winning percentage

Season	Team	League	GC	W	L	T	OL	Pts	Pct
1980	USA Olympic Men's Team	IIHF	Gold Medal Victory
1980–81	HC Davos	Swiss-A	28	11	16	1	—	23	0.411
1991–92	Utica Devils	AHL	80	34	40	6	—	74	0.463
1998	France Olympic Men's Team	IIHF	Finished in 11th place
2002	USA Olympic Men's Team	IIHF	Silver Medal Achievement