August 11, 2003

Herb Brooks killed in car crash: Former Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks, who led the United States to the ``Miracle on Ice'' victory over the Soviet Union, died Monday in a car accident, a state official said. This is a sad day for all hockey fans, especially here in Minnesota where Herb Brooks was our hockey god.

posted by emoeby to hockey at 05:31 PM - 6 comments

Brooks, 66, coached the 1980 Olympic team that won the gold medal in Lake Placid, N.Y. He returned to lead the 2002 U.S. Olympic hockey team to a silver medal. Brooks coached the Minnesota North Stars (1987-88), the New Jersey Devils (1992-93) and New York Rangers (1981-85), where he reached the 100-victory mark faster than any other coach in franchise history. Born in St. Paul, Brooks played hockey at the University of Minnesota, where he later coached from 1972-9, winning three national titles and left with a 167-99-18 to lead the national team. He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990.

posted by emoeby at 05:32 PM on August 11, 2003

That sucks.

posted by Samsonov14 at 06:28 PM on August 11, 2003

This is a bigger loss than most in the coaching ranks, because Brooks was one of the those guys who, no matter how many times he retired or was fired, was still acknowledged as a genius and a possibility for every job opening. God speed, Herb, and thanks.

posted by wfrazerjr at 09:01 PM on August 11, 2003

My favorite Brooksism - "You're playing worse and worse everyday, and today you're playing like it's next week"

posted by emoeby at 09:30 PM on August 11, 2003

. . .

posted by Ufez Jones at 08:52 AM on August 12, 2003

Another Herb Brooks quote - "Coaching is like being King. It prepares you for nothing." RIP

posted by vito90 at 10:26 AM on August 12, 2003

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