Jim Craig (ice hockey)

James Downey Craig[1] (born May 31, 1957) is an American former ice hockey goaltender who is best known for being part of the U.S. Olympic hockey team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Craig had a standout Olympic tournament, including stopping 36 of 39 shots on goal by the heavily-favored Soviet Union in the semifinal game, as the U.S. won 4–3, in what is widely considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history. Two days later, the U.S. defeated Finland, 4–2, to win Olympic gold. Craig went on to play professionally in the National Hockey League for the Atlanta Flames, Boston Bruins, and Minnesota North Stars from 1980 to 1983.

Jim Craig
Born (1957-05-31) May 31, 1957
Easton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for Atlanta Flames
Boston Bruins
Minnesota North Stars
National team  United States
NHL Draft 72nd overall, 1977
Atlanta Flames
WHA Draft 79th overall, 1977
Cincinnati Stingers
Playing career 1979–1984

Playing career

Amateur career
Jim Craig's equipment from the 1980 Olympics, on display at the HHOF

After starring at Oliver Ames High School in his hometown, Craig spent one year at Massasoit Community College in Brockton, Massachusetts. He then transferred to Boston University, leading the Terriers to the NCAA Division I championship in 1978[2] and was an NCAA All-Star in 1979. He was inducted into the BU Hall of Fame in 1989.[3]

1980 Winter Olympics
Jim Craig
Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing the  United States
1980 Lake Placid Team competition

Craig played a key role in one of the landmark moments in United States sports history, as the goalie for the United States in the Miracle on Ice, when the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team defeated the favored Soviet Olympic hockey team, which was led by greats including Boris Mikhailov and Vladislav Tretiak. In that game, Craig stopped 36 of 39 shots from the Soviet team. His composure was evident in the final moments of the game and allowed the underdog U.S. team to protect their one-goal lead and win 4–3. The American Flag that Craig draped over his shoulders after the upset is now displayed at the Sports Museum of America in New York City.[4] Two days later, he again led the U.S. to victory, 4–2 victory over Finland, clinching the gold medal.[2]

Professional career

Originally drafted by the Atlanta Flames with the 72nd pick in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft, Craig joined the Flames shortly after the Olympics and won his first game as an NHL professional. However, he found it difficult to duplicate his magic in the NHL. The following season, the Boston Bruins brought him home to Massachusetts in a trade with Atlanta.[5] He served as the Bruins' backup goaltender during the 1980-81 regular season but again failed to make an impression and he did not participate in the 1981 NHL Playoffs. Craig returned to the U.S. national team for the 1981 Canada Cup but missed the tournament due to injury and the following season was spent in the minor leagues with the Erie Blades. Craig's final moment of glory was in 1983 when he again played very well for the United States in the 1983 IIHF Pool B tournament. Craig was named goaltender of the tournament and the Minnesota North Stars promptly signed him to a free agent contract.[6] He would make a final three NHL appearances for the North Stars in 1984 before retiring from hockey.

Personal life

Two years after the Lake Placid victory, he was issued a citation "charging him with driving to endanger after an accident on a rain-slicked highway that left one woman dead and another critically injured."[7] Although neither alcohol nor drugs was a factor in the accident, the charge was later changed to motor vehicle homicide.[8] He pleaded innocent and waived his right to a jury trial, electing to go before a judge instead. He was found not guilty by a Wareham District Court judge in September 1982.[9][10]

Craig is employed as a motivational speaker, spokesperson, marketing and sales strategist. He is president of Gold Medal Strategies,[11] a Boston-area based promotions and marketing firm that also manages and represents Jim and his appearance business. Over the past 25 years, Craig has provided strategic direction for employees and associates from more than 300 organizations.

Musician Dave Grohl has mentioned being an admirer of Craig over the years, as evidenced by the #6 entry of the "47 Things You Might Not Know About Dave Grohl" list on TeamRock.com, which stated, "Dave’s first hero was Jim Craig, the 1980 American ice hockey team goalie from Easton, Massachusetts. After the team beat Russia, he found the phone numbers of all the Jim Craigs in that area, phoned them up and congratulated them. Dave and the real Jim Craig met years later at a Winter Olympics."[12]

In the 1981 made-for-TV movie film Miracle on Ice, Craig is portrayed by Steve Guttenberg.

In the 2004 Disney film Miracle, he is portrayed by Eddie Cahill, who considers Craig to be one of his childhood heroes.[13]

Awards and achievements
  • ECAC First All-Star Team (1979)[14]
  • NCAA East First All-American Team (1979)[15]
  • Olympic Gold Medal Team U.S.A (1980)
  • Ice Hockey World Championships B Pool Tournament All-Star Team (1983)
  • Inducted into International Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999
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References
  1. "Jim Craig". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  2. Phillips, Bob (July 5, 2005). "Craig Was Miracle Worker in Goal". ESPN Classic. Archived from the original on May 22, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
  3. Sturtevant, Ben (June 25, 1989). "Olympian Jim Craig Inducted at BU Hall for Famed Goalie". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
  4. "The Sports Museum of America Opens in Lower Manhattan" Archived 2012-07-11 at Archive.today. (May 6, 2008). City Guide. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
  5. "Jim Craig's Bio". Legends of Hockey.net. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
  6. "Jim Craig". PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
  7. UPI (May 31, 1982). "Craig, U.S. Goalie, Charged in Crash". The New York Times. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
  8. Quill, Ed (June 2, 1982). "Car Homicide Charge Sought Against Craig". The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  9. Staff (September 15, 1982). "Sports People; Court Clears Craig". The New York Times. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  10. Wallace, Carol (March 7, 1983). "Trapped in the Net of Fame". People. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  11. "Speaking". Gold Medal Strategies.com. Retrieved March 22, 2010.
  12. TeamRock (January 14, 2016). "47 Things You Might Not Know About Dave Grohl". TeamRock.com. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  13. Murray, Rebecca (January 26, 2004). "Interview with Eddie Cahill and Jim Craig". About.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  14. "ECAC All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  15. "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
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