LANSING – State Representative Sarah Roberts (D-St. Clair Shores) welcomed “Miracle on Ice” USA Olympic Hockey Team member Mark Wells to the Michigan House of Representatives today to present him with a legislative tribute recognizing his contribution to winning a hockey gold medal for the United States at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics.
“Mark was an aggressive player who helped score one of the greatest upsets in sports history,” said Roberts. “It took incredible determination and skill for players like Mark and his teammates to defeat the professional caliber teams they faced, especially the then Soviet Union team.”
The Soviet Union National Team had won the hockey gold medal in the last four Olympics. The U.S. team dispatched the Soviets in their semifinal match where Wells played aggressive defense against the Soviets in what would become known as the “Miracle on Ice.” The U.S Team went on to win the gold by beating Finland.
After the Olympics, Wells continued to play hockey in the minor leagues before retiring due to injuries in 1982. In 2014, he was honored at the St. Clair Shores Civic Arena, and the rink now bears his name. Today, Mark Wells resides in Harrison Township.
“I am pleased to give this legislative tribute to Mark Wells in honor of his Olympic achievement that will now be displayed in the rink that bears his name,” said Roberts.