By Compiled from Times wires
Published August 12, 2003
[File photo]
Herb Brooks, center, looks on from the bench during the closing minutes of the semifinal game against the USSR at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games, Feb. 23, 1980.
Lou Vairo, an assistant under Brooks at the 2002 Olympics and currently USA Hockey's director of special projects:
"I think Herb's spirit will continue to live and benefit hockey in this country. I think that's what he'd want. He's a passionate, patriotic American and proud of our hockey players and showed it when he led them to victory in Lake Placid and in Salt Lake."
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman:
"Herb was a tireless supporter of USA Hockey players and programs, a relentless advocate of the speed and beauty of our game. Making one of Herb Brooks' teams was an extraordinary accomplishment."
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty:
"My gut reaction is Minnesota lost its head coach today. Herb Brooks was a Minnesota legend, a Minnesota treasure."
Dallas Stars forward Bill Guerin, who played for Brooks on the 2002 U.S. Olympic team and the 1992-93 New Jersey Devils:
"This is a huge loss for everybody in the game, especially those of us from the United States. He was a great ambassador for the game and he will be sorely missed."
Ken Morrow, a defenseman on the gold medal-winning 1980 Olympic team and now a scout for the New York Islanders:
"It seems like all the great innovators die young. Coach may have been the greatest innovator the sport has ever had."
New Jersey Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello, a friend of Brooks for 40 years:
"I am in shock. It's a sad day for his family and friends. He was a unique individual, innovative. He had a passion for the game. For people in the game, you had to respect that."
Tom Sersha, executive director at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame:
"He truly was part of our American hockey heritage. There was nobody like Herb Brooks. He was a stalwart member of the hockey community of the United States."
University of Minnesota coach Don Lucia:
"Today's a sad day for hockey. It's a monumental loss for the University of Minnesota."
Bob Allen, who operated the Olympic Center during the 1980 Winter Games:
"It's a great loss for USA Hockey. He was a master motivator, a great thinker."
Sandy Caligiore of the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority, which operates the Olympic Center where Mike Eruzione scored his winning goal against the Soviets:
"What he did with that team basically made Lake Placid what it is today."
The U.S. Olympic Committee:
"As head coach of the 1980 U.S. Olympic ice hockey team, Coach Brooks helped craft one of the most inspiring moments in Olympic history. He cared deeply about the sport of hockey and devoted much of his life to developing the game, both nationally and internationally."
Mark Johnson, a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team and currently the University of Wisconsin's head women's hockey coach:
"It's a real tough day. On a very sad note, we lose not only a great coach and an innovator of the game, but a real good friend."
Pittsburgh Penguins GM Craig Patrick, Brooks' assistant on the 1980 Olympic team. Patrick also was Brooks' boss the past eight years, when Brooks served as a scout, interim coach and then director of player development for the Penguins:
"I knew him for 30 years; we played together, we coached together, we worked together. Herbie lived the game and he loved the game."
