Feb22 - 1980 OLYMPIC GOLD - it took 46years to do it again.

Bill Baker, one of Minnesota's players on the 1980 Gold Medal Olympic Men’s Hockey Team, stops in front of the Capitol to greet well wishers and sign autographs during a parade of Minnesota players in St. Paul. Minnesota had 12 players on the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team’s roster. 

Baker was born in Grand Rapids and played hockey for the University of Minnesota and was the team’s captain for the 1978-79 season. Baker played defenseman in 60 games for U.S Olympic Team, scoring 5 goals and 30 assists.

Baker is best known for being a member of the Miracle On Ice 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team that won the Gold Medal in Lake Placid, NY. Baker will forever be remembered for scoring the tying goal as the extra skater with goalie Jim Craig being pulled from the game forcing a 2-2 tie with Sweden in the opening game. This tie allowed the team to eventually advance to the medal round.

The United States defeated Finland 4-2 in the final medal round game to secure the Olympic gold medal. Although often confused with the "Miracle on Ice" (a 4-3 semifinal win against the Soviet Union), the final game against Finland saw the U.S. rally from a 2-1 third-period deficit to take the gold medal.

The 2026 2-1 overtime win against Canada ends the 46 year drought for the United States Men’s Olympic Hockey Team.