'Miracle on Ice' player Bob Suter dies of apparent heart attack at age 57

MADISON, Wis. - Bob Suter, a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic "Miracle On Ice" hockey team, has died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 57.

Suter's death was confirmed by a spokesman for USA Hockey.

The Madison, Wisc., native won a gold medal representing the United States at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., and is the father of NHL star Ryan Suter, who currently plays for the Minnesota Wild.

“It's a tough day for our sport, having lost a great friend and ambassador of the game," USA Hockey said in a statement. "Bob Suter will always be remembered for his role as a member of the 1980 Miracle on Ice Team that captivated our country and whose impact is impossible to measure.

"His legacy, however, is far beyond that as he dedicated his life to advancing hockey and helping young people achieve their dreams. Bob's positive impact on our sport will be felt for generations to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Suter family at this difficult time."

A seventh-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in the 1977 NHL draft and a seventh-rounder of the Birmingham Bulls in the 1977 WHA draft, Suter went on to play 86 games in the Central Hockey League.

Suter's brother Gary played 1,145 NHL games with the Flames, Blackhawks and Sharks and was on Calgary's 1989 Stanley Cup team.

"We are very saddened by today's news that Minnesota Wild Scout Bob Suter suddenly passed away," the team said in a statement. "The Wild organization sends its condolences to the entire Suter family during this difficult time. Not only was Bob a great hockey ambassador, he was a terrific person off the ice who will be greatly missed by all of us."