'Miracle on Ice' star rips American Olympian over remarks about representing Team USA

CNN host Audie Cornish and New York Magazine's Will Leitch suggested during a recent podcast that the U.S. could become the "global villain" of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Mike Eruzione, an American Olympic gold medalist who played a major role in the team’s "Miracle on Ice" moment in 1980, blasted Team USA skier Hunter Hess on Saturday.

Eruzione responded to Hess’ controversial remarks about representing the U.S. on the world stage at this year’s Olympic Games. Hess, and teammate Chris Lillis, expressed dismay about wearing the Stars and Stripes amid controversy over the Trump administration’s use of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the country.

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Mike Eruzione of Team USA shakes hands with the Russian team during an 1980 exhibition game against the Soviet Union on Feb. 9, 1980, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)

"Hunter Hess US snowboarder saying he doesn’t represent his country but his family and friends," Eruzione wrote on X. "Then don’t put on the USA uniform maybe just put for family and friends. Some athletes just don’t get it."

Eruzione later deleted the post.

Lillis and Hess’ statements caused significant backlash on social media.

Lillis said that while he "would never" want to represent another country in the Games, he’s "heartbroken" over the administration’s actions.

"I love the USA. I would never want to represent a different country in the Olympics. With that being said, a lot of times, athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things.

From left, Team USA forward Auston Matthews, Mike Eruzione, Wayne Gretzky and Team Canada forward Sidney