Forty-five years after the "Miracle on Ice," the improbable victory of the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey Team over the seemingly invincible Soviet Union continues to inspire. On February 22, 1980, in Lake Placid, New York, a team of college players and amateurs achieved one of the greatest upsets in sports history, defeating the seasoned Soviets 4-3 in a game that transcended the sport itself. The average age of the American team was just 21 years old, making them the youngest squad in the entire Olympic field.

The "Miracle on Ice" resonated deeply with Americans during a period marked by economic difficulties and the Cold War. The Soviet Union was the United States' greatest rival, both politically and athletically. The game provided a rare, triumphant moment—a victory that felt like a win for democracy and the American spirit.

Here's a glimpse into where some of the key members of that historic team are now:

• Bill Baker: The defenseman from the University of Minnesota had a modest NHL career before returning to school to become an oral surgeon. He retired from that profession in 2015 and currently lives in Minnesota. A stick he used during the game is on display at the Smithsonian.
• Neal Broten: Following the Olympics, Broten returned to the University of Minnesota and won the Hobey Baker Award. He played 17 seasons in the NHL, winning a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995. Broten is the only player to have won a Hobey Baker Award, an Olympic gold medal, and a Stanley Cup. He currently runs a horse farm in Wisconsin.
• Jim Craig: The team's starting goaltender, who became a household name after stopping 36 of 39 shots against the Soviets, played sparingly in the NHL before retiring in 1984. Today, he is the president of Gold Medal Strategies, a marketing and promotions firm, and also works as a public speaker.
• Mike Eruzione: The captain of the team, Eruzione, scored the winning goal against the Soviet Union. After the Olympics, he retired from playing hockey.
• Steve Janaszak: As Jim Craig's backup, Janaszak didn't play in any Olympic games. He played briefly in the NHL and then transitioned to a career in investment banking in New York. He met his wife, Jaclyn Minichello, who was working as an interpreter, at the Olympics.
• Mark Johnson: Johnson, who played at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, scored two goals against the Soviets. He went on to play in the NHL and later coached the U.S. national women's hockey team to a silver medal in 2010. He is currently the head coach of the University of Wisconsin women's hockey team.
• Rob McClanahan: McClanahan, a left wing, scored the winning goal against Finland in the Olympics. After playing in the AHL and NHL, he became a financial broker and recently retired from coaching hockey at The Blake School in Minnesota.
• Jack O'Callahan: He played seven seasons in the NHL before turning to finance. He founded Beanpot Financial Services and is currently a Senior Managing Director at Ziegler Capital Management.
• Buzz Schneider: Schneider was the oldest player on the team, and the 1980 Olympics was his second Olympics. After retiring from hockey, he worked as a sales executive before going into real estate.
• Dave Christian: One week after winning the gold medal, Christian was playing in the NHL. He played 15 seasons in the NHL and reached the Stanley Cup Final in 1990.
• Phil Verchota: After winning the gold medal, Verchota played hockey in Finland. He returned to play for the U.S. national hockey team in 1982 and was captain of the '84 Olympic team. Verchota is now with Deerwood Bank.

Herb Brooks: The coach of the 1980 team, Herb Brooks, is remembered as the mastermind behind the "Miracle on Ice". He died in a car accident in 2003.

The "Miracle on Ice" was more than just a hockey game; it was a cultural phenomenon that captured the spirit of a nation. The story of the underdog American team's improbable victory over the Soviet Union continues to inspire generations.