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Mike Eruzione, the U.S. Olympic gold medalist who played a major role in the team’s “Miracle on Ice” moment in 1980, blasted U.S. team skier Hunter Hess on Saturday.
Eruzione responded to Hess’ controversial remarks about the United States’ representation on the world stage at this year’s Olympic Games. Hess and teammate Chris Lillis expressed dismay at wearing the Stars and Stripes amid controversy over the Trump administration’s use of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) system in the country.
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American hockey player Mike Eruzione #21 of Team USA shakes hands with Team Russia during a 1980 exhibition game against the Soviet Union on February 9, 1980 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
“Hunter Hess, the American snowboarder, says he doesn’t represent his country but his family and friends,” Eruzione wrote on X. “So don’t wear the American uniform, maybe just put it on for your family and friends. Some athletes just don’t understand.”
Eruzione later deleted the post.
Lillis and Hess’ statements sparked significant backlash on social media.
Lillis said that while he “would never want” to represent another country at the Games, he is “heartbroken” over the administration’s actions.
“I love the United States. I would never want to represent another country in the Olympics. That being said, athletes are often hesitant to talk about their political views and how we feel about things.
Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34), former hockey player Mike Eruzione and former hockey player Wayne Gretzky along with Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby (87) during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden on February 20, 2025. (Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images)
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“I’m heartbroken by what’s happening in the United States. I’m pretty sure you’re referring to ICE and some of the protests and things like that,” he continued. “I think as a country we need to focus on respecting everyone’s rights and making sure that we treat our citizens, as well as everyone else, with love and respect. I hope that when people watch the athletes compete in the Olympics, they realize that this is the America we are trying to represent.”
Hess echoed that sentiment but went further, saying he had “mixed emotions” about representing the United States at these Games.
“Representing the United States right now brings mixed emotions, I think. It’s a little difficult. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.
“I think for me it’s more about representing my friends and family back home, the people who represented them before me, everything that I believe is good about the United States. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing them. Just because I’m carrying the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the United States.
Hunter Hess reacts during the men’s ski halfpipe final at the Toyota United States Grand Prix at Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort in Aspen, Colorado. This happened on January 9, 2026. (Dustin Satloff/American Ski and Snowboard/Getty Images)
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“I just want to do it for my friends, my family and the people who support me to get here.”
