After being drafted for the Vietnam War Irving served in the Mekong Delta prior to being assigned to the United States National Team for the 1972 Winter Olympics.

Irving was named to an all-star team that played in an international tournament in Lake Placid, New York.

[4] Irving reported to Fort Dix in New Jersey for recruit training as part of the United States Army.

During his leave Irving worked out for four hours a day and called Logue daily to find out if there was news on if he had made the team.

[6] Upon arriving in Vietnam Irving was station in a small town 100 miles from Saigon in the Mekong Delta.

Fearing being a radio operator would put him in greater danger Irving chose to be the mail clerk.

Despite being in Vietnam Irving still hoped to make the Olympic team and had his father send him hockey pucks and sticks.

Following his acceptance of the six-month extension Irving continued to stay in shape by playing tennis matches against doctors and military officers on base.

[9] Irving was able to return to the United States 10 days prior to the try-outs and skated in the New England Amateur League.

Williamson told him Irving was struggling and was not sure if he would make the team, to which Logue replied "what are you going to do-send the kid back to Vietnam?

Irving scored two goals in the game against Vladislav Tretiak, who was considered one of the best goaltenders in the world at the time.

[2] In his first Olympic game Irving scored an insurance goal in the final minutes of Team USA's 5–3 win over Switzerland.

[18] In the American's final game of the Olympics Irving recorded a goal and an assist in a 6–1 win over Poland.

[22] After he retired from professional ice hockey Irving served as an assistant coach at Merrimack College.