Jim Craig (ice hockey)

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Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox ice hockey player James Downey Craig<ref>"Jim Craig". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved April 6, 2016.</ref> (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 'Miracle on Ice', 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 clinch 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. He was inducted into IIHF Hall of Fame in 1999.

Playing career

Amateur career

File:Jim Craig Equipment.jpg
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<ref name="mira"/> and was an NCAA All-Star in 1979. He was inducted into the BU Hall of Fame in 1989.<ref name="induc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

1980 Winter Olympics

File:Jim Craig holding flag.jpg
Craig clutching an American flag after his team won the gold medal

After Craig was selected to be the goaltender for the United States men's national ice hockey team at the 1980 Winter Olympics, he wanted to live with a family during national team training, and chose to live with the team's doctor, George Nagobads and his family.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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 veterans including greats 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 unheralded 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 was displayed at the Sports Museum of America in New York City.<ref name="nyco">"The Sports Museum of America Opens in Lower Manhattan" Template:Webarchive. (May 6, 2008). City Guide. Retrieved May 6, 2008.</ref> Two days later, he led the U.S. to the gold medal in a 4–2 victory over Finland.<ref name="mira">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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 player. 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He would make a final three NHL appearances for the North Stars in 1984 before retiring from hockey.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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".<ref>UPI (May 31, 1982). "Craig, U.S. Goalie, Charged in Crash". The New York Times. Retrieved June 9, 2012.</ref> Although neither alcohol nor drugs was a factor in the accident, the charge was later changed to motor vehicle homicide.<ref>Quill, Ed (June 2, 1982). "Car Homicide Charge Sought Against Craig" Template:Webarchive. The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 17, 2014.</ref> He pleaded not guilty 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.<ref>Staff (September 15, 1982). "Sports People; Court Clears Craig". The New York Times. Retrieved April 17, 2014.</ref><ref>Wallace, Carol (March 7, 1983). "Trapped in the Net of Fame". People. Retrieved April 17, 2014.</ref>

Craig is employed as a motivational speaker, spokesperson, marketing and sales strategist. He is president of Gold Medal Strategies,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> a Boston-area based promotions and marketing firm that also manages and represents Jim and his appearance business. For more than 30 years, Craig has provided strategic direction for employees and associates from more than 300 organizations.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

His daughter Taylor is married to NHL player Jayson Megna.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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."<ref>TeamRock (January 14, 2016). "47 Things You Might Not Know About Dave Grohl". TeamRock.com. Retrieved May 19, 2016.</ref>

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.<ref>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.</ref>

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1974–75 Oliver Ames High School HS-MA 57 54 2 1 3420 118 — 2.11 — — — — — — — — —
1975–76 Massasoit Junior College NCAA-II — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
1976–77 Boston University ECAC 27 25 1 1 — — — — — — — — — — — — —
1977–78 Boston University ECAC 16 16 0 0 967 60 0 3.72 — 5 5 0 305 17 0 3.34 —
1978–79 Boston University ECAC 19 13 4 2 1009 60 1 3.57 — 2 1 1 120 8 0 4.00 —
1979–80 United States Intl 41 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
1979–80 Atlanta Flames NHL 4 1 2 1 206 13 0 3.79 .841 — — — — — — — —
1980–81 Boston Bruins NHL 23 9 7 6 1270 78 0 3.68 .861 — — — — — — — —
1981–82 Erie Blades AHL 13 3 9 1 742 57 0 4.61 — — — — — — — — —
1982–83 United States Intl 26 — — — 1385 61 2 2.64 — — — — — — — — —
1983–84 Minnesota North Stars NHL 3 1 1 0 110 9 0 4.92 .839 — — — — — — — —
1983–84 Salt Lake Golden Eagles CHL 27 — — — 1532 108 1 4.23 — 3 — — 177 12 0 4.07 —
NHL totals 30 11 10 7 1586 100 0 3.78 .857 — — — — — — — —

International

Year Team Event GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA
1979 United States WC 5 2 1 2 280 10 0 2.14
1980 United States OLY 7 6 0 1 420 15 0 2.14
1983 United States WC-B — — — — — — — —
Senior totals 13 8 1 3 700 25 0 2.14

Awards and achievements

References

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