USA Hockey will conclude its diamond jubilee season with a special 75th Anniversary Gala tomorrow (June 8) at the Broadmoor International Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.Highlighting the event will be the celebration of five gold-medal winning U.S. teams: 1960 Men’s Olympic Team, 1980 Men’s Olympic Team, 1996 World Cup Team, 1998 Women’s Olympic Team and2010 Paralympic Team.
Two players from each of the five teams will take part in an on-stage remembrance of their squad’s significant achievement during the Gala, including John Mayasich and Dick Meredith from 1960; Jim Craig and Mark Johnson from 1980; Brian Leetch and Mike Richter from 1996; Karyn Bye-Dietzand Katie King-Crowley from 1998; and Steve Cash and Alexi Salamone from 2010.
Additionally, USA Hockey will honor Peter Karmanos, Jr. (Raleigh, N.C.), owner of the Carolina Hurricanes and executive chairman of the board of Compuware Corporation, with the Distinguished Achievement Award; Paul Moore (Falmouth, Mass.) with the Wm. Thayer Tutt Award; and Jack Johnson(Ann Arbor, Mich.) as the Bob Johnson Award recipient.
The Gala, which is completely sold-out, will also include remarks from special guests that include Gary Bettman, commissioner of the National Hockey League; Murray Costello, vice president of the International Ice Hockey Federation; and Scott Blackmun, chief executive officer of the United States Olympic Committee.
The night will also include a special tribute to U.S. Olympic coaches with appearances by Murray Williamson, Lou Vairo, Tim Taylor, Peter Laviolette, Ron Wilson, Ben Smith and Mark Johnson.
In addition, attendees will hear from USA Hockey president Ron DeGregorio; USA Hockey executive director Dave Ogrean and legendary Walter Bush, who is in his 53rd year serving on USA Hockey’s Board of Directors, currently in the position of chairman of the board.
USA Hockey’s Dave Fischer will serve as master of ceremonies, accompanied by Brian Burke, general manager of the 2010 U.S. Men’s Olympic Team and currently the president and general manager of the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs and A.J. Mleczko, television analyst and gold medalist on the 1998 U.S. Women’s Olympic Team.
Watch exclusive highlights from the Gala on YouTube and join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #USAH75.
