The Hershey Bears took the ice for practice at Hersheypark Arena on Monday, and one player did not wear his official practice jersey.
Instead, Bears forward Grant Cruikshank rocked a Mike Eruzione ‘Miracle on Ice’ Team USA sweater, smiling ear-to-ear, a day after the U.S. men’s hockey team defeated Canada and captured gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Cruikshank, one of the fastest skaters on the team and in the AHL as a whole, had reason to feel so much pride. The Delafield, Wisconsin native is the son of renowned U.S. Olympic speedskaters Bonnie Blair and Dave Cruikshank. Blair won five gold medals and one bronze medal at the Olympics, while the elder Cruikshank is a four-time Olympian. Combined, Grant’s parents appeared at The Games eight times.
Both parents helped train Grant in power skating, though he pursued hockey rather than speedskating.
According to a feature by FOX 43’s Ryan Ye, Grant was born three years after his mother’s final Olympic appearance, and was on skates by the age of two.
“I guess I grew up on the ice and have loved it ever since,” Cruikshank said.
“For Grant to be able to call himself a professional hockey player, knowing that that’s what this kid wanted to do since he was like four or five years old, how cool is that?” Blair said. “It for sure is something that’s very touching to me and can bring even tears to my eyes, like I know he’s chasing his dream and able to do that.
“I’m one of those crazy hockey moms,” she added. “I’d love to have a cowbell in my hand. I’ve always enjoyed the sport of hockey. It’s kept this excitement of ice sports for me alive because I obviously can’t keep doing it. So now I’m able to live through it with my own kids. What a fun way to do that.”
Not only is Grant playing for the Bears after an NCAA career that saw him play for Colorado College, the University of Minnesota, and St. Cloud State, but his younger sister, Blair, is a United States junior speed skater.
“I’ve learned so much from [my mom], both my parents honestly,” Grant said. “They’ve supported me so much my whole life and learned so much from both of them just about being a good person. Skating stuff aside, I think it’s character stuff, leadership, how you treat people, I think that’s the stuff I’ve taken most from those two.”
As for who’s the fastest between mom and son, Bonnie had a strong opinion.
“I would blow his doors away,” she said.
So far this season, the 27-year-old centerman has set AHL career highs in games played (45), goals (8), and points (11). He’s been especially lethal on the penalty kill, where he’s scored four shorthanded goals, the most in the AHL.
