Herb Brooks Statue Unveiling | Lake Placid | January 31, 2026
- Olympic Center 2634 Main Street Lake Placid, NY, 12946 United States (map)
A Legendary Coach, Forever Cast In Bronze: Herb Brooks Statue Unveiling In Lake Placid
Herb Brooks statue in St. Paul, MN.
On Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 6 p.m., Lake Placid will once again step onto the world stage of sports history with the unveiling of a life-size bronze statue honoring Herb Brooks, the legendary coach behind the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team and the moment forever known as the Miracle on Ice.
The unveiling will take place inside the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the very arena where Brooks and his young, unheralded team stunned the Soviet Union and went on to defeat Finland to claim Olympic gold. Nearly 46 years later, this tribute ensures Brooks’ legacy remains permanently linked to the place where sports history was rewritten.
Why this moment still matters.
Longtime observers continue to rank the Miracle on Ice as the greatest sports upset in American history. More than a game, it became a symbol of belief, teamwork, and possibility.
Team USA at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid.
Brooks’ philosophy—famously favoring “the right players” over the best on paper—reshaped how the game was coached and how underdogs dared to dream.
Dan Brooks, one of Herb Brooks’ sons, captured the spirit of the evening: the family feels deeply honored to see their father’s legacy forever intertwined with the Lake Placid community, whose people and place were integral to the Miracle on Ice. For many fans, this unveiling feels like a long-overdue thank-you.
What to expect at the unveiling.
The ceremony will celebrate Brooks, the team, and the moment that united a nation. Attendees are encouraged to dress in tribute to the iconic coach—tan sport coat, blue shirt, and dark blue tie—a visual nod that longtime hockey fans will instantly recognize.
The statue will be located outside the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, near the original scoreboard still displaying the unforgettable 4–3 final score, transforming the space into a true pilgrimage site for hockey lovers.
The unveiling will be led by Brooks’ children, Kelly and Dan, alongside Stanley Rumbough, whose generous donation made the statue possible. Rumbough, a nine-time participant in the Miracle on Ice Fantasy Camp, calls Brooks “the straw that stirred the drink”—a sentiment shared by generations of players and fans.
Lake Placid’s Olympic Center.
Voices from the Miracle.
The event will be live-streamed and feature remarks from several speakers, including 1980 team member Jack O’Callahan. Their presence adds living history to a night already rich with meaning.
James McKenna, CEO of the Uihlein Foundation, notes that visitors treat the Olympic Center as a shrine, while athletes who skate on the same ice remain in awe—a reminder that Lake Placid, Herb Brooks, and the Miracle on Ice are inseparable.
Plan your visit.
For updates, live-stream details, and event information, visit the Lake Placid Olympic Center’s website or Facebook page before attending.
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