Herb Brooks led a collection of collegians to an unbelievable 4-3 upset of the experienced and four-time Olympic hockey gold medalist Soviet Union in the semifinal.

“You’re meant to be here,” he told his players before the game. “This moment is yours.”  

The final seconds of that game, will forever be remembered by the call of broadcaster Al Michaels: “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”

It is a player who plays with a heart that makes the game. When it comes hockey, Espen Nelson, Boise high’s athlete of the month plays with the same determination as that 1980 gold medal team.  Espen started playing hockey when he was five years old and from early on knew he loved the game. He talks about how much he enjoyed the games and said: “It’s a great way to make friends and live a healthier life.”

Over the years of playing one of his most significant accomplishments espen told me “was winning the Western Regionals, against a team we that we had lost to 7 -1 earlier in the year and advancing to the National”, echoing the accomplishment of the 1980 Olympic team.

When we talked about what motivates him to improve and excel at the game of hockey, he talks about “Herb Brooks because he brought a young group of kids that never played together” and the obstacles they overcame.  Also, he goes on to tell me they “beat the four-time Olympic champions and it showed me how much effort he and his players put in to make it happen.” With all of Espens time and achievement in hockey, he does look to the future of possible playing professional down the road .  We wish espen good luck for the future and all that he will archive in the sport of hockey. Congratulations on being Boise High Athlete of the Month.