MILWAUKEE – Friday marked the 45th Anniversary of Team USA Hockey’s 1980 Miracle on Ice Game, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum and Lowsport unveiled the first officially licensed, limitededition bobblehead of Jim Craig, the goaltender of the U.S. Olympic hockey team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics and is famously known for its upset victory over the Soviet Union. The bobbleheads are being released in conjunction with the 45th anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice” game, which was played on February 22nd, 1980. The special edition bobbleheads are being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in conjunction with Lowsport.
The bobblehead features Jim Craig leaping in the air wearing the white Team USA jersey that the team wore during the Miracle on Ice game over the Soviet Union. With his hockey stick in the air and wearing his iconic goalie mask, the Craig bobblehead is in the pose Craig was in when celebrating Team USA’s miraculous victory.
The bobbleheads, which are individually numbered, are only available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store and from Lowsport. The bobbleheads, which are expected to ship in March, are available for $75 unsigned or $155 signed plus shipping.
Last year, on the anniversary of the Miracle on Ice game, limitededition bobbleheads of Herb Brooks and Jack O’Callahan, the head coach and key defenseman of the gold medalwinning team, were released along with a USA Hockey Miracle On Ice Customizable Bobblehead. All three of those bobbleheads are in stock and ready to ship.
Born and raised in Easton, Massachusetts, Craig was selected to be the goaltender for the U.S. national hockey team at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid after leading Boston University to the NCAA Division I championship in 1978 and being named an NCAA All-Star in 1979. 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” game, 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 medal.
Drafted by the Atlanta Flames with the 72nd pick in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft, Craig went on to play professionally in the NHL for the Flames, Boston Bruins, and Minnesota North Stars from 1980 to 1983. He retired from hockey in 1984. Craig was inducted into the Boston University Hall of Fame in 1989 and the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1999. Following his professional hockey career, Craig transitioned his success into the corporate world as a motivational speaker, powerful salesman and corporate consultant. He has been inducted into the Sales Halls of Fame for two different companies. Craig is the co-author of the highly acclaimed business book, “Gold Medal Strategies: Business Lessons from America’s Miracle Team.” His most recent book and legacy piece is, “We Win! Lessons on Life, Business & Building Your Own Miracle Team.”
“We’re excited to unveil this new bobblehead of USA Hockey goaltending legend Jim Craig in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the famous ‘Miracle on Ice’ game,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum cofounder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “With his play between the pipes, Jim was instrumental in one of the greatest moments in sports history. This bobblehead will be a must-have for fans of U.S. hockey!”
