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Mike Eruzione, a U.S. Olympic gold medalist who played a big role in the team’s “Miracle on Ice” moment in 1980, blasted Team USA skier Hunter Hess on Saturday.
Eruzione was responding to Hess’ controversial remarks about representing the United States 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 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the country.
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American hockey player Mike Eruzione #21 of Team USA shakes hands with the Russian team 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 US snowboarder says he doesn’t represent his country but his family and friends,” Eruzione wrote on X. “So don’t wear the USA uniform, maybe just 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 is “devastated” by the administration’s actions.
“I love the United States. I would never want to represent another country at the Olympics. That being said, a lot of times athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things.
Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) and former hockey player Mike Eruzione and former hockey player Wayne Gretzky and Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby (87) during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship at TD Garden on February 20, 2025. (Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images)
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“I feel devastated 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 we treat our citizens just like everyone else, with love and respect. I hope that when people look at athletes competing in the Olympics, they realize that this is the America we’re trying to represent.”
Hess echoed that sentiment, but took it further, saying he has “mixed feelings” about representing the United States in these games.
“It’s mixed feelings representing the United States right now, I think. It’s kind of hard. 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 that I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people who represented it before me, all the things that I think are good about the United States. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m carrying the flag doesn’t mean I’m representing everything that’s going on in the United States.
Hunter Hess reacts during the men’s ski halfpipe final at the Toyota US Grand Prix at Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort in Aspen, Colorado. It happened on January 9, 2026. (Dustin Satloff/US Ski and Snowboard/Getty Images)
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“I just want to do it for my friends and my family and the people who support me in coming here.”
