U-S-A! U-S-A! Start practicing that chant, because 1980 Team USA Hockey stars John Harrington, Mike Ramsey and Ken...
Posted by Rochester Red Wings on Friday, July 31, 2015
What’s more American than a baseball game in a minor league town on a warm, breezy Saturday night in August?
How about a baseball game that features three members of the 1980 Team USA “Miracle On Ice… squad “throwing… out the ceremonial first pitches….. with their tools of the trade: their hockey sticks?
Yes, this happened on Saturday night in beautiful Rochester, NY.
The Rochester Red Wings hosted the Syracuse Sky Chiefs.
Sure, it was a baseball game. However, it was also an opportunity for hockey fans-- and there are a bazillion of them between Buffalo and Rochester--to past their respects and revel in in the glory iconic memories that were created by that wonderful team. It hurts my head to think that it all took place 35 years ago. Where has the time gone?
A friend of mine and his family attended the game and said that seemingly there were more hockey sweaters and insignias adorned by the crowd of 10,000 than baseball-branded gear. There were Jack Eichel, Brian Gionta, Marcus Foligno, Jason Pominville and Ryan Miller jerseys and rightly so. All are American-born Sabres present and past.
Both teams wore Team USA logo gear. Hell, the umpires wore zebra stripes!
How about this uniform setup tonight? Photo courtesy of Kelsie Redburn.
Posted by Rochester Red Wings on Saturday, August 1, 2015
Well played, Rochester Red Wings!
What made that 1980 team so special, and by extensions Saturday night’s event, was that former Sabres defensive bedrock Mike Ramsey was on hand to celebrate with his fans. Ramsey was joined by his former teammates Ken Morrow and John Harrington.
"When you get to come back and see the guys and hang out, that's awesome and when you see the people, it's such a special event for not just us, but for all the people in the country and some of the items they bring up, I mean they've been saving these items for years and years and years. Some of the people have pictures from back in 80, they have the original newspaper from the next day after and so like I said it's kind of special." Ramsey was rightfully and deservingly inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.
Video courtesy Kevin Oklobzija
Two Buffalo Sabres played on the iconic 1980 US Olympic team. Rob McClanahan, also a Minnesota native, was drafted 49th overall by the Sabres in the 1978 NHL Entry Draft.
McClanahan played 224 NHL games for the Sabres and NY Rangers. He scored 38 goals and added 64 assists.
Minnesota native Mike Ramsey, was drafted 11th overall at the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. Ramsey played one season at the University of Minnesota before his life changed forever. After winning the Olympic gold medal, Ramsey transitioned seamlessly to Buffalo where he would play a leadership role for 14 seasons for the Sabres. Ramsey also played for Pittsburgh and Detroit. In 1070 NHL games, Ramsey scored 79 goals and added 266 assists for 345 points. He also earned 1,012 career PIMs. In 115 career playoff games, he scored 8 goals and added 29 assists. After his playing career ended in 1997, Ramsey joined Lindy Ruff’s coaching staff for three seasons. He took a job with the Minnesota Wild in 2001-02. He retired from coaching in 2009-10.
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Speaking of All-American Buffalo Sabres....
Jack Eichel will figure prominently in the success of the 2015-16 Buffalo Sabres.
Eichel was selected second overall by Tim Murray at the NHL Draft in June. If the prospects camp is any indication of things to come, we better buck our seatbelts for a fast and furious ride along with Eichel during his rookie year in the NHL. He is ready to be a dominant NHL player at age 18. He has the size, speed, shiftiness, smarts, skills, strength, booming shot and 360 degree vision to make a sudden impact in the NHL.
Murray also beefed up his skill quotient by trading for Ryan O'Reilly, Evander Kane, Jamie McGinn, and David Legwand. He also traded for starting goalie Robin Lehner.
Dan Bylsma led a young, talented Pittsburgh Penguins team to a Stanley Cup ticker tape parade in 2009. He now runs the bench in Buffalo. I expect big things from Bylsma and his coaching staff this summer and this season.
More on that later. I'll give you my season preview soon. For now, here is "NHL 30 in 30: Buffalo Sabres."
Thanks, NHL