Jim Craig (hockey player)
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| Olympic medal record | |||
| Men's Ice Hockey | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 1980 Lake Placid | Team | |
James Downey "Jim" Craig (b. May 31, 1957, North Easton, Massachusetts) is a retired American Professional Hockey goaltender who played 3 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Atlanta Flames, Boston Bruins and Minnesota North Stars.
Craig attended and played hockey at Boston University, after one year at Massasoit Community College. He is best known for his involvement in the 1980 Winter Olympics event Miracle on Ice. He has also played in the NHL for the Atlanta Flames, Boston Bruins and Minnesota North Stars. He coached in 1996 at Northeastern University, Boston. He formerly coached his daughter's team in Massachusetts.
Though history will probably not adjudicate him as the greatest goaltender ever, Craig will be remembered for playing a key role in one of the landmark moments in United States sports history. In the game against the erstwhile Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics, Craig deflected an astounding 36 of 39 shots from what was possibly the greatest attacking unit ever led by the great Boris Mikhailov. Craig's skill was the most helpful in the dying moments of the game and allowed the underdog U.S team to retain their one goal lead and eventually win 4-3.
Two days later, he again would lead the way to a 4-2 victory over Finland, clinching the gold medal. The sight of Jim Craig draped in the U.S flag keenly searching out the crowd for his father still remains embedded in the memories of Hockey fans to this day.
[edit] Awards & Achievements
- 1980 - Winter Olympics - Gold Medal - Ice Hockey
[edit] External links
[edit] Trivia
- Was one of actor Eddie Cahill's childhood heroes. Cahill later played Craig in the movie Miracle.
Categories: 1957 births | 1980 US Olympic hockey team | American ice hockey players | Atlanta Flames players | Boston Bruins players | Boston Terriers ice hockey players | Erie Blades players | Living people | Minnesota North Stars players | Olympic gold medalists for the United States | Olympic competitors for the United States | People from Bristol County, Massachusetts | Salt Lake Golden Eagles (CHL) players | Winter Olympics medalists
