Innovator, 'Miracle' forger Brooks goes to Hall of Fame

The 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey triumph instantly became known as the Miracle On Ice, and it grew into a legend that helped put Herb Brooks into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday. But the coach's son, Dan, recalled that his dad never thought that description was accurate.

"He always told me, 'It really wasn't a miracle,' " Dan Brooks said. "It was hard work, 10 months of blood, sweat and tears. Those 20 guys worked their tails off."

That gold medal also required devotion, tirelessness, enormous will and a capacity to dream big, qualities that Herb Brooks embodied until the day he died. The native of St. Paul's East Side was elected to the Hall of Fame as a builder.

Harley Hotchkiss, longtime Calgary Flames owner and chairman of the NHL's Board of Governors, was also elected in the builder category. Former Montreal and Colorado goaltender Patrick Roy and Terrance (Dick) Duff, who won six Stanley Cups with Toronto and Montreal, were elected in the players' category.

Former North Stars forward Dino Ciccarelli, in his fourth year of eligibility, did not receive the required 75 percent of votes.

"I wish my father was still alive to enjoy this moment," said Dan Brooks, who with his sister, Kelly, helps run a foundation named for his dad. "I know he's looking down and is very proud. It's a great honor and a very emotional time for me and my family."

Brooks was killed in a single-car accident on Aug. 11, 2003, at age 66. He became a Minnesota icon by playing for the Gophers and later coaching them to three NCAA titles. A two-time Olympic team member, Brooks was named to coach the U.S. hockey team at the Lake Placid Games, setting up the moment that would enrapture the nation and cement his legacy as a brilliant hockey mind and master motivator.

The team's stunning victory over the Soviet Union in the Olympic semifinals, followed by its gold medal triumph over Finland, remains one of the most celebrated feats in U.S. sports history. Brooks coached the 2002 U.S. Olympic team to a silver medal in Salt Lake City and compiled a 219-222-66 regular-season record in the NHL. He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990 and into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame last December.

Brooks made his mark on the game in ways that transcended his many awards and championships. He is recognized as an innovator who fearlessly followed his own hockey muse. He fiercely championed the American player and advocated youth programs that emphasized the pure fun of the game.

The movie "Miracle," which was released in 2004, brought Brooks' legend to a new generation of fans. "It showed people he was an extremely dedicated individual," Dan Brooks said. "He was so driven. He worked so tirelessly, and he had an amazing goal he accomplished through hard work. His greatest legacy is the lesson that if you believe, you can achieve anything you want in life."

Jim Gregory, chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee, called Brooks' widow, Patti, with news of his election on Wednesday. Lou Nanne, former North Stars executive and longtime friend of the Brooks family, said he had never heard Patti so excited about anything -- and Nanne was plenty thrilled himself.

"It shows the Hall of Fame isn't just Canada's Hall of Fame," Nanne said. "It should have happened a long time ago. It's just a tragedy it didn't happen while he was still alive."

Nanne's elation was tempered by disappointment for Ciccarelli, the only eligible 600-goal scorer who is not in the Hall of Fame. Character issues on and off the ice are the likely reason.

"I know [the vote] was extremely close, but close gets you nowhere," Nanne said. "I talked to Dino, and he's really hurt. He's crushed.

"I know he's going to get in eventually; look at Dick Duff, an old-timer who got in [Wednesday]. I told Dino he has to stay patient. His time will come. But this is totally unwarranted."

Staff writer Michael Russo contributed to this report.