“Miracle” tells the story of the US men’s hockey team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics. The Americans’ victory over the heavily favored Soviet team was dubbed the “Miracle on Ice.” The US would go on to beat Finland to win gold.

Mantenuto in the ‘Miracle Bar’ Scene

in the movie ‘Miracle’, Michael Mantenuto played Jack O’Callahan, a member of the US team who injures his knee, but returns to the rink to take on the Soviets, and makes a key shot that leads to a U.S. goal. Kurt Russell and Patricia Clarkson also star in the movie.
Mantenuto’s Hollywood career was limited apart from “Miracle.” He did, however, appear in the 2006 TV movie “Dirtbags” and 2008’s “Surfer, Dude.”
After his acting career, Mantenuto joined the military and joined the Special Forces.
In a news release announcing Mantenuto’s death, his commander Col. Guillaume Beaurpere wrote, “Those of you that knew Mike will remember him for his passionate love for his family and his commitment to the health of the force.”

His hockey skills led him to star alongside Kurt Russell in Miracle

A skilled hockey player, it was his talent on the ice that led him to star alongside Kurt Russell in Miracle, which told the story of the 1980 US team which won gold at the winter Olympics.