Jim Craig Atlanta Flames Jersey

He is best known as the goalie for the United States in the Miracle on Ice, when the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team defeated the favoured Soviet Olympic hockey team. Craig played a key role in one of the landmark moments in United States sports history. In the game against the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics, Craig deflected 36 of 39 shots from an attacking unit led by the great Boris Mikhailov. Craig's skill was the most helpful in the final moments of the game and allowed the underdog U.S team to retain their one goal lead and eventually win 4-3. The flag that Craig wore after the upset is now displayed at the Sports Museum of America in New York City. Two days later, he again would lead the way to a 4-2 victory over Finland, clinching the gold medal.

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. 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 US 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. He would make a final three NHL appearances for the North Stars in 1984 before retiring from hockey.

Jim Craig
Goalie
Born May 31 1957  -- North Easton, MA
Height 6.01 -- Weight 190 -- Shoots L 

Selected by Atlanta Flames round 4 #72 overall 1977 NHL Amateur Draft
Selected by Cincinnati Stingers round 9 #79 overall 1977 WHA Amateur Draft
Season   Team                        Lge    GP   Min   GA  EN SO   GAA   W   L   T   Svs    Pct
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1978-79  Boston University           ECAC    0  1009   60   0  0  3.57   0   0   0     0  0.000
1979-80  Atlanta Flames              NHL     4   206   13   0  0  3.79   1   2   1     0  0.000
1980-81  Boston Bruins               NHL    23  1272   78   1  0  3.68   9   7   6     0  0.000
1983-84  Minnesota North Stars       NHL     3   110    9   0  0  4.91   1   1   0    47  0.839

Jim Craig Atlanta Flames Jersey