Kurt Russell took a pay cut, so the 800-1000 extras used as the fans at the hockey game could enjoy a full hot meal instead of a brown-bag lunch.
While Al Michaels joined the film to recreate commentary for the games, Gavin O'Connor decided to use the last ten seconds of Michaels' original "Do you believe in miracles?" call in the film because he felt he couldn't ask him to recreate the emotion he experienced at that moment. Thus, they cleaned up the recording to make the transition to the authentic call as seamless as possible.
More than 4,000 men auditioned for only twenty roles on the U.S. Olympic Ice Hockey Team in the movie.
Herb Brooks died in a car accident during principal photography of this film. A dedication is made for him before the ending credits.
This film is considered to be one of the most accurate depictions of true events, including dialogue. According to the actual 1980 USA team, the only inaccuracies in the film include Herb Brooks attending a Christmas party with the players and giving them nicknames. They also said that Brooks' language had to be toned down immensely to maintain the film's PG rating.
Patti Brooks: Herb Brooks' wife Patti is in the movie as an extra in the stands during the U.S. vs. USSR game. You can see her positioned up and to the left of the actor who portrayed Jim Craig's dad in the movie, during many of his scenes during the U.S. vs. USSR game. She also appears in a couple of scenes with Walter Bush, the director of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Comittee.
Gavin O'Connor: appears as the man who drapes the American flag on Jim Craig after the US team wins the gold medal.