He is best known for being a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team that won the gold medal in the event known as the Miracle on Ice.

Verchota made his international debut at the 1979 Ice Hockey World Championship in Moscow after his college career had ended.

He rejoined the U.S. national team as a full-time player in 1982–83 and helped the United States win the ice hockey world championship "Pool B" qualifying tournament in the spring of 1983.

He was named one of the 50 greatest players in University of Minnesota hockey history as part of "Legends on Ice" tribute in 2001.

In the 2004 Disney film Miracle, he is played by Kris Wilson, who in 2002 led the University of Wisconsin-Superior to the NCAA Division III hockey championship.