Michael Craig, born on June 6, 1971, is a Canadian former professional hockey forward who made his mark in the National Hockey League (NHL). This article delves into his extensive career, from his early days in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) to his professional stints in North America and Europe.
Oshawa Generals, winners of the Memorial Cup in 1991. Source: Wikipedia
Early Life and Junior Career
Mike Craig has been involved in hockey since the age of six, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to the sport.
Craig had a strong career in the OHL where he played for the Oshawa Generals for three seasons alongside Eric Lindros.
After an unspectacular rookie season, he posted excellent numbers, scoring 72 points in 63 games in the 1988/1989 season.
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His best Junior season was in 1989/1990 when he scored 76 points in 43 and won the Memorial Cup with the Generals.
He began his junior career in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) playing three seasons for the Oshawa Generals and won the Memorial Cup in 1991.
NHL Career
In 1989 he was selected in the second round of the NHL draft by the Minnesota North Stars going 28th overall.
He would play with the North Stars and was a part of the team when they moved to Dallas.
His NHL career would prove to be less than spectacular, scoring 71 goals and 168 points in 423 games over 9 seasons.
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International Career
He represented Canada in the World Juniors winning back-to-back gold medals in 1990 and 1991 and was named to the WJC All Star team.
He also represented Canada at the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland winning the championship back to back in 2003 and 2004.
In 2002, Craig was part of the Canadian team that won the Spengler Cup over host team HC Davos.
International Hockey's Best Moments
The Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland, a tournament where Mike Craig achieved significant success. Source: Wikipedia
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Later Career
After his NHL career he played in the IHL (International Hockey League) and the AHL (American Hockey League) for three years and was chosen for the 2000 and 2002 AHL All Star games, receiving MVP honors in 2002.
He continued his professional career in Europe for 11 more seasons and went on to win two Austrian Championships in 2005 and 2009 with Vienna and Klagenfurt.
In 2007-08 he joined EC KAC also in the Austrian Hockey League.
Career Statistics
To provide a clearer picture of Mike Craig's career trajectory, here's a summary of his achievements:
| League/Tournament | Years | Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| OHL (Oshawa Generals) | 1988-1991 | Memorial Cup Champion (1991) |
| World Juniors | 1990-1991 | Gold Medals (1990, 1991), WJC All-Star Team |
| NHL | 9 Seasons | 71 Goals, 168 Points in 423 Games |
| AHL | 2000-2002 | AHL All-Star Game (2000, 2002), MVP (2002) |
| Austrian Hockey League | 2005-2009 | Austrian Championships (2005, 2009) |
| Spengler Cup | 2003-2004 | Champion (2003, 2004) |