Puck Daddy - NHL

Jim Sacco estimates that his son Josh has watched "Miracle," the film about the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team's legendary upset of the Soviets, nearly 150 times. Apparently, the movie has made quite an impression on the young fan.

Nicknamed "Rizzo" after the gold medal-winning team's captain Mike Eruzione, Josh sparked an Internet sensation this week when his hilarious, inspirational and eerily impeccable interpretation of actor Kurt Russell's locker room speech as Coach Herb Brooks went viral -- spreading everywhere from blogs to USA Today to the "Ellen" show.

No professional coaching. No fancy editing. No script, because Rizzo hasn't learned to read yet -- he was just 4 years old when his father filmed the speech earlier this year, making it all the more remarkable.

If you haven't seen this clip yet, you've not seen anything like it before:

"Tonight, we skate whiff'um! Tonight, we stay whiff'um! And we shut dem down because we CAN!"

Where did this instant classic YouTube clip come from? The story behind it is fascinating.

Where is this sudden sensation taking Josh Sacco? To perform the speech in an NHL locker room, for starters.

Jim and Josh Sacco, who turned 5 years old during the summer, live in Spring Hill, Tenn., just outside of Nashville. Jim grew up in Boston and is a die-hard Boston Bruins fan. He was 13 when Herb Brooks coached the U.S. men's ice hockey team to their historic upset of the Soviets and eventual gold medal victory over Finland at Lake Placid in 1980.

"We weren't supposed to win. It had a major impact on me, and it's had an even bigger impact on me now [as an adult]. I live it every day," said Sacco.

He's shared that impact with his son: Bringing him to Lake Placid to skate on the hallowed ice and sit on the bench where the late coach barked orders. They also bonded by watching "Miracle," the 2004 film that meticulously detailed the US Olympians' underdog triumph and featured Russell channeling Brooks in a memorable performance.

"We just started watching the movie. He plays hockey, and I love the movie. We'd get done watching it and he's just say 'play it again, play it again'. We must have watched it 150 times," said Sacco.

"So one day, he's upstairs shooting some 'pucks' in the bedroom -- a little net that he shoots tennis balls into -- and he starts calling out 'Hughes!' 'Ross!' 'Auge!'. I'm like, ‘Wait a minute, those are all the guys who initially made the cut at the beginning of the movie!'"

Sacco went back, checked and discovered that Josh had all 26 names from the sequence memorized -- in order. He started testing his son on other dialogue from the film, and found that Josh basically had "Miracle" committed to memory; not only the words, but the inflections.

"He loves Jack O'Callahan," said Sacco, "and you should hear his Boston accent. It's hilarious."

Eventually the two started trading lines on the "Great Moments Are Made" speech, which was made to the team before its game against Russia. When Sacco would flub a line, his then-four-year-old son would correct him.

Here's what Russell's speech sounded like in the film:

Sacco decided to document the speech on video, right down to the emphatic "screw'em!" Russell delivers near the end. He dressed Josh in an Easter suit that resembled the one Russell wore during the scene in "Miracle" to complete the effect.

"Besides," said Sacco, "he looks like a little man anyway."

Sacco filmed it for friends and family, and tossed it on YouTube rather than attempting to burn a dozen DVDs. Needless to say, more than friends and family have viewed the instant-classic viral video -- it's been featured on Sports Illustrated's Hot Clicks, on USA Today's site, on radio stations and, most famously, on the "Ellen" show.

Sacco said he's been contacted by the Minnesota Wild, the University of Minnesota and the Nashville Predators, who actually invited Josh to recreate the speech for a scoreboard video that's scheduled to debut at their home opener on Oct. 8. Instead of hockey players, Josh performed the speech to mascots.

After that ... well, 2010 is an Olympic year. The U.S. men's ice hockey team is once again facing very long odds against superpowers from Canada, Sweden and, yes, Russia.

Would Baby Brooks be willing to fire up the boys in a Vancouver locker room at the Winter Games?

"I know he would," said Sacco. "That would be hilarious if he did."

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1459 Comments

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  1. lourdes
    275. Posted by lourdes Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:33 pm EDT

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    this liltle boy is so funny ilove him lol
  2. Funlady
    276. Posted by Funlady Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:33 pm EDT

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    having fun...laughing at all the IDIOTS who write IDIOTIC comments about a little boy, ha ha ha ha, you CLOWNS!!
  3. stan
    277. Posted by stan Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:33 pm EDT

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    I hope this kid does all the shows, makes some commercials, gets to meet some famous people and make a ton of money in the process. Then he can pull down those little 1970's Disco Pants and all you "haters" on here can kiss his a%$ !!!!!!
  4. Keon
    278. Posted by Keon Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:33 pm EDT

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    vvvvvvveeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyy good i love it ; it was nice
  5. moe
    279. Posted by moe Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:34 pm EDT

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    I love this very much.
    and I am going to keep this with me in my heart here in the us and for ever
    Moe Alasry
  6. Ricardo T
    280. Posted by Ricardo T Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:34 pm EDT

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    Incredible
  7. Katie
    281. Posted by Katie Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:34 pm EDT

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    this is kind of creepy..
  8. Jaylon
    282. Posted by Jaylon Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:34 pm EDT

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    LMAO. I'm reading the laughing at what people are saying. And people wonder why the world view america so badly
  9. sonny
    283. Posted by sonny Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:34 pm EDT

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    good going KID keep it up ,that was great,
  10. JonathanH
    284. Posted by JonathanH Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:34 pm EDT

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    Stories like this are exactly why I removed Yahoo from my homepage two years ago.
    Sure, the kid's cute. Great.
    BUT A HEADLINING NEWS STORY?!? I think not. What a waste of time.
  11. gates.jeremy
    285. Posted by gates.jeremy Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:35 pm EDT

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    the fact that this is on yahoo! main page is pathetic. i memorized the gettysburg address at 4, big deal!
  12. ljbwalsh
    286. Posted by ljbwalsh Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:35 pm EDT

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    REALLY? There are people slamming on this kid? Seriously, don't be jerks and enjoy this kid. HE'S A LITTLE KID! The kid is obviously smart enough to memorize something and enjoys it. He's seen the rink at Lake Placid which would be part of history. Grab a child's attention when you can and learn about things in a manner they can relate to. He's a 5 year old boy who loves hockey. For those who mock and complain, remember you're sitting online with nothing better to do poke fun and mock a 5 year old. Something to be proud of. Kids are Kids and obviously, there are adults on here who prove DOUCHE BAGS are DOUCHE BAGS!
  13. Betsy M
    287. Posted by Betsy M Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:35 pm EDT

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    That child has gorgeous eyes!
  14. Mark C
    288. Posted by Mark C Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:35 pm EDT

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    Great stuff --- I loved it. Ben Franklin would learn how to write from literally copying - in his own handwriting -- over and over -- the words of others. That's how Franklin consumed -- internalized -- thoughts.
    The moral is - -be careful what you teach your kids. Feed them good thoughts. You see in this young boy how suseptable humans are to the words of others.
  15. Ill s
    289. Posted by Ill s Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:35 pm EDT

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    Man we have a f*** up society, this is amazing? if he would of figure out a hard calculus problem out, I would be amazed. Not this SH**.
  16. JOSEPH
    290. Posted by JOSEPH Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:36 pm EDT

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    Where did that Obama sh%^ come from...... loser........
  17. Juicy Red
    291. Posted by Juicy Red Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:36 pm EDT

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    what is wrong with you people--- this is just little humor --- it's fascinating----- it's little thing that make us how miraculous life is and how sensational being a kid was --- when we had no worries but a perfect world view... get a break --- enjoy the humor ----- and laugh a little and reflect if you must--- stop being so ignorant and malicious minded---- great job little boy--- i don't have a son but i will be proud id you were mine-----
  18. scott
    292. Posted by scott Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:36 pm EDT

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    really??????? i just wasted 30 seconds of my life watching that! my dog could do a better halftime speach if i gave him cue cards, just rediculous. they'll put anything on you tube hahahahaha!! sweet tie though.
  19. Habits_76
    293. Posted by Habits_76 Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:36 pm EDT

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    Wow, this was great! Whoever is posting negative crap on here is just a dumb ass, grow up and let this little kid have his moment.
  20. stan
    294. Posted by stan Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:36 pm EDT

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    I hope this kid does all the shows, makes some commercials, gets to meet some famous people and make a ton of money in the process. Then he can pull down those little 1970's Disco Pants and all you "haters" on here can kiss his a%$ !!!!!!
  21. Leora
    295. Posted by Leora Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:36 pm EDT

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    I can speak as a mother of 3 successful adults, that this Dad posted a very entertaining video. The
    ones that don't get it, are either republican-lol, are not up to the now youtube era ( just watch it or not!!),
    raise your own family and post it and we will critique your decisions. It's just a fun family video-sigh.
  22. Not happy
    296. Posted by Not happy Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:36 pm EDT

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    i love this kid!! and all you people are mean and cruel! get a life!! this kids LOVES hockey so of course he is going to LOVE a movie about hockey!!! His dad needs to get him the mighty duck movies!!!! : D!!! i said it before and Ill say it again just watch this little boy be one of the next big Hockey Stars!! I say good luck to him and I hope to hear about him in a few years!!!! : D
    ps to all you people writing mean and negative stuff about this kid.. i pray that you do not have children and if you do I pray for your children because god forbid you kid falls in love with some movie and start reciting lines from what will you do ????? : D
  23. Anthony
    297. Posted by Anthony Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:37 pm EDT

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    now that was funny the kid's got talent so what if he seen it 150 times its a sports movie
  24. David
    298. Posted by David Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:37 pm EDT

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    I have never seen a more bitter, selfish, ignorant bunch than those people on here throwing insults- AT A 4 YEAR OLD KID. Is your life really so miserable and meaningless, that you have to provide some small joy to yourself by having an internet pissing contest- with a child?
    Really, it may not be the most talented thing in the world, he's not composing symphonies. But let's face it, it's a cute human interest story that provides a chuckle to parents who remember their kid doing something similar. He's not reading a script, he's holding the paper as a prop. It is cool that he memorized the whole speech, with the accent, most kids do not have the attention span. As far as asian kids learning calcalus at 4, not true. In fact, Americans spend more time in the classroom than Asians. However, we have a school system that considers itself a babysitter, and parents who do the same and do not invest in their children's future.
    When it comes to the insults, if anyone said something half as offensive to your kid(s) there would be a fight, how about considering that? Enjoy your internet autonomy that allows you to trash a small child and be a real big man. We all know that in real life, you'd probably piss yourselves in a real confrontation- which is why your disassociative rage is plastered all over this board. Since normal pleasantries probably wouldn't suffice, I'd say you need your teeth kicked in to learn some "civility" and would be more than happy to oblige.
  25. Lorrie
    299. Posted by Lorrie Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:37 pm EDT

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    i would rather have my child memorize a great speech like that than watch and memorize the crap that is on t.v. now. Give him credit where credit is due four years old when it was taped and he couldn't read. Awesome job. So stop the bad mouthing.

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