Episode 77: Mike Eruzione

On the 77th episode of “Great Dane Nation,” Morten is joined by Olympic Gold Medalist and Boston University legend Mike Eruzione to reflect on “The Miracle on Ice” and much more (11:11 – 56:11). But first, he checks in with TommyFreezePops (Tom Carroll) for this week’s edition of the “Opening Kick” (01:35 – 10:14). To set the scene for our conversation with Mike, Morten and TFP talk about their favorite and least favorite aspects of the Winter Olympics. Will FreezePops change Morten’s mind on curling?

We then move to our interview with Mike Eruzione, where he discusses a wide range of topics: the state of USA Hockey after not medaling in Beijing, and why Mike is bullish on the future of the program despite this year’s disappointing result (12:37); why Mike believes hockey should be moved to the Summer Olympics (15:31); why he thought NHL owners made the right move by not sending the pros to Beijing, even though the players wanted to go (16:17); why he feels like USA Hockey is right there with Team Canada, in that they should be a threat to medal in any international tournament moving forward (16:54); why he feels Auston Matthews is the best American hockey player in today’s game, and why Charlie McAvoy needs to be mentioned in this conversation as well (17:46); his blue-collar upbringing in Winthrop, MA, and how that molded him into the success story he is today (19:54); why he actively avoids talking with his grandkids about who he is and what he’s accomplished (22:22); the crazy story that led Mike to playing college hockey at Boston University (25:59); the process of being selected to Team USA ahead of the 1980 Olympic Games in Lake Placid (30:18); why he and his teammates were able to be so relaxed heading into their game against the Soviets, despite being enormous underdogs (32:59); the untold story of Herb Brooks in the day directly following “The Miracle on Ice” (40:43); his thoughts on the movie “Miracle” about his team’s run to gold (42:22); why he opted for a career in broadcasting and motivational speaking over pursuing something in the NHL (43:41); the state of today’s game, and why he thinks goaltenders in hockey are the position in sports that has changed the most over time (44:40); why he wants the NHL to make rinks wider (46:45); thoughts on fellow Massachusetts native and BU Terrier Jack Eichel, and why he thinks a change of scenery is exactly what the kid needs to take the next step in his career (47:19); why he thinks it’s time to move the Arizona Coyotes to a city like Quebec City (48:19); why he wishes Connor McDavid played in a larger market (49:34); why Mike thinks Patrice Bergeron is Boston’s best kept secret, and where he sees the Bruins heading this season (50:06); how happy he was to see BU win the 2022 Beanpot, and why BU’s head coach Albie O'Connell needed that trophy to help continue proving he deserves his job (51:31); who Mike thinks is the greatest player in BU Hockey history (53:06); and this week’s edition of “The Name Game,” featuring Herb Brooks, Jack Parker, Jim Craig, Dave Silk, Doc Emrick, Jack O’Callahan and Al Michaels (54:20).

Finally, we close things out with “Morten’s Game Winner” – a weekly monologue from The Great Dane on his biggest takeaway of the week. This week, Morten talks about Mike Eruzione, and why his blue-collar upbringing was ideal for the goliath that was the Soviet Union in 1980 (56:55).