Phil Verchota Memorabilia & Collectibles

About Phil Verchota Memorabilia & Collectibles

Philip John Verchota, or Phil Verchota, is a retired ice hockey forward best known as a part of the Miracle on Ice team, the US hockey team that won the Olympic gold medal during the 1980 World Olympics. He was born on December 28, 1956 in Duluth, Minnesota.

During high school, Verchota was the all around athlete; he played as tight in hockey and line backer in football, and made all- state in both sports. He also threw the discus for the track team. When he got to college in the University of Minnesota, he concentrated on hockey and helped the Gophers win 2 national titles, one in 1976 and another in 1979.

Verchota is noteworthy for his excellence both in sports as well as in his studies, winning the John Mayasich Award twice which is an award given to the school’s top student- athlete. He was also a Williams’ Scholar in the University of Minnesota.

After his college career in hockey, he debuted internationally at the 1979 Ice Hockey World Championship in Moscow. He joined the Miracle on Ice team on a full time basis in the 1979- 1980 season for the Olympics.

Despite being ranked 75th overall in the 1976 NHL Entry Draft, Verchota turned down an offer to sign with the Minnesota North Stars to play with the Jokerit in Finland after his Olympic stint. He again turned the North Stars down in 1977 so he can leave the University of Minnesota early. He took a sabbatical from hockey after joining the US national team in 1981 that played in the ice hockey world championship tournament in Stockholm. He joined the US team again in 1982- 1983 as a full time player and was a big help to the team in winning the ice hockey championship “Pool B” qualifying tournament. He went on with the US national program until the Saravejo Winter Olympics in 1984 then retired from hockey altogether. He became part of the banking industry shortly after retirement. As part of the Legends on Ice tribute in 2001, Verchota was named one of the 50 greatest players in University of Minnesota.

Check out the memories Verchota’s success on ice by getting framed NHL photos, plaques, and collages from this site. Also check out thrilling offers for autographed game used stadium items, autographed NHL helmets, and other must haves for hockey aficionados.