Jim Craig
Jim Craig was born in Easton, Massachusetts, United States on May 31st, 1957 and is the Hockey Player. At the age of 67, Jim Craig biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.
At 67 years old, Jim Craig has this physical status:
James Downey Craig (born May 31, 1957) is an American former ice hockey goaltender who is best known for his appearances on the 1980 Winter Olympics as part of the United States Olympic hockey team.
Craig had a spectacular Olympic tournament, with 36 of 39 shots on target by the heavily favored Soviet Union in the semifinal game, where the US defeated 4-3 in what is widely considered one of the largest upsets in sports history.
The United States defeated Finland 4-2, 2nd, to win Olympic gold two days later.
Craig played for the Atlanta Flames, Boston Bruins, and Minnesota North Stars from 1980 to 1983.
Personal life
He was given a citation for driving to an endanger after a rain-slicked highway that killed one woman and another critically wounded two years after the Lake Placid victory two years ago. Although neither alcohol nor opioids were involved in the crash, the charge was later amended to motor vehicle homicide. He pleaded not guilty and waived his right to a jury trial, preferring instead to appear before a judge. A Wareham District Court judge found him not guilty in September 1982.
Craig is employed as a motivational speaker, spokesperson, and sales strategist. He is the president of Gold Medal Strategies, a Boston-based promotions and marketing company that also represents Jim and his appearances. Craig has provided strategic direction for staff and associates from more than 300 companies over the past 25 years.
Dave Grohl, a singer, has written about Craig over the years, as shown by TeamRock's #6 entry, "Dave's first hero was Jim Craig, the 1980 American ice hockey team goalie from Easton, Massachusetts." He phoned all the Jim Craigs in the area after the team beat Russia, called them up and congratulated them. At a Winter Olympics, Dave and the real Jim Craig met years later.
Playing career
Craig spent a year at Massasoit Community College in Brockton, Massachusetts, after being active at Oliver Ames High School in his hometown. He later attended Boston University, leading the Terriers to the NCAA Division I championship in 1978 and 1979, and was a college All-Star. In 1989, he was inducted into the BU Hall of Fame.
Craig was instrumental in one of the greatest sporting moments in United States sports history as the goalie for the United States' Miracle on Ice in 1980, when the 1980 Olympic hockey team defeated the favored Soviet Olympic hockey team, led by legends including Boris Mikhailov and Vladislav Tretiak. Craig stopped 36 of the Soviet team's 39 shots in that game. In the closing moments of the game, his composure was evident, allowing the underdog U.S. team to shield their one-goal lead and win 4-3. The American Flag that Craig draped over his shoulders after the disaster is now on view at the Sports Museum of America in New York City. He led the United States to victory in 4–2 over Finland, clinching the gold medal two days later.
Craig was drafted by the Atlanta Flames with the 72nd pick in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft and played his first game as an NHL professional right away after the Olympics. However, he found it impossible to imitate his magic in the NHL. In a trade with Atlanta, the Boston Bruins brought him home to Massachusetts for the second season. He was the Bruins' backup goaltender during the 1980-81 regular season but he didn't make an appearance and did not play in the 1981 NHL Playoffs. Craig was on the US national team for the 1981 Canada Cup but missed the tournament due to sickness, and the Erie Blades spent the rest of the season in the minor leagues. Craig's last moment of glory came in 1983, when he again played well for the United States in the 1983 IIHF Pool B tournament. Craig was named goaltender of the tournament and the Minnesota North Stars immediately agreed to a free agent deal. In 1984, he made three NHL appearances for the North Stars before withdrawing from hockey.
Awards and achievements
- ECAC First All-Star Team (1979)
- NCAA East First All-American Team (1979)
- 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