He was an All-American, a key member of an NCAA Championship team, and, finally, an Olympic hero. Yes, Jim Craig's sparkling achievements brought pride to the University and the nation, his inspirational play a lasting memory from a golden age of U.S. amateur hockey.
A native of North Easton, Massachusetts, and a graduate of Oliver Ames H.S., Craig enrolled at Boston University in 1976 after attending Massasoit Community College. For the next three seasons, he started in goal for the Terrier hockey team where he rolled up an impressive 55-10-3 record and helped to win the program's third national championship in eight seasons.
In his first season, Craig finished 20-5-1, sported a 4.14 goals-against average and had an .864 save percentage.
He followed with a perfect 1977-78 campaign, going 16-0-0 in his starting assignments and carrying a 3.72 goals-against average. After sharing netminding duties with Brian Durocher through most of the season, Craig earned the starting nod in the ECAC and NCAA playoffs. He turned aside 20 shots in the Terriers 5-2 NCAA semifinal victory over Wisconsin, then kicked out 34 Boston College attempts in a 5-3 championship game decision over the Eagles that firmly established Boston University as the college hockey power of the decade.
As a senior, Craig earned First Team All-America and All-East accolades after finishing 14-5-2 with a 3.42 goals-against average and an outstanding .896 save percentage. He opened the year by winning his first six decisions, including a 39-save effort in a 3-1 win over RPI, to run his unbeaten streak to 22 games. His year was also highlighted by being in net for victories over Harvard and Boston College as the Terriers captured the 1979 Beanpot title.
Even greater acclaim came the following year when Craig joined former teammates Jack O'Callahan, David Silke and Mike Eruzione on the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. Remembered now as the "Miracle on Ice," Craig's play helped the Americans defeat heavily-favored Czechoslovakia, Soviet Union and Finland to win the gold medal and hearts of sports fans all across the nation.
Jim Craig was honored for all the memories and all the dreams he helped make come true. In 1989, he joined the most distinguished athletes in Boston University history by becoming a member of the Hall of Fame.
