Craig Patrick

Craig Patrick(born May 20, 1946) is an American formerhockeyplayer, coach and general manager, the son ofLynn Patrickand the grandson ofLester Patrick.During the1980 Winter Olympics,Patrick was the Assistant General Manager and Assistant Coach underHerb Brooksfor theUnited States men's national ice hockey team,which won the gold medal and defeated theSoviet Unionin the "Miracle on Ice".From 1989 to 2006, Patrick was the General Manager of thePittsburgh Penguinswhere he oversaw back-to-backStanley Cupchampionships in1991and1992,as well as the drafting and signing of some players that would later win a Stanley Cup title for the Penguins in2009.

Craig Patrick
Hockey Hall of Fame,2001 (Builder)
Patrick in 1983
Born	(1946-05-20)May 20, 1946 Detroit,Michigan,U.S.
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Center
Shot	Left
Played for	California Golden Seals St. Louis Blues Kansas City Scouts Minnesota Fighting Saints Washington Capitals
National team	United States
Playing career	1971–1979

Amateur career

After spending most of his childhood inWellesley, Massachusetts,he was sent at age fourteen toQuebecto play junior hockey in theMetropolitan Junior Hockey Leaguefor the Lachine Maroons and later the Montreal Junior Canadiens.

He attended theUniversity of Denverwhere he helped guide the Pioneers hockey team to theNCAAchampionship in 1968 and 1969. He played on the US National Team for 1969–70 and 1970–71 seasons, including the 1970 and 1971Ice Hockey World Championshiptournaments while serving in theUS Army.

Career as a professional player

Patrick's pro career was comparatively modest but he did play eight seasons inNHLwith theCalifornia Golden Seals,theSt. Louis Blues,theKansas City Scouts,and theWashington Capitals.He also played briefly for theMinnesota Fighting Saintsof theWorld Hockey Associationin 1976–77 before jumping back to the NHL when the Saints folded. He amassed 72 goals, 91 assists, and 163 points in 401 NHL games during his playing career. He also was a member of Team USA at the inaugural1976 Canada Cuptournament and also played for the U.S. at the 1979Ice Hockey World Championshiptournament in Moscow, shortly before retiring from professional hockey.

The Miracle on Ice

Patrick served as Assistant General Manager and Assistant Coach underHerb Brooksfor the 1980 USOlympicGold Medal-winning hockey team, theMiracle on Ice.

Patrick was also the general manager for the 2002 USOlympicteam, also coached by Brooks, which won the silver medal – the first US hockey medal since the 1980 team. This tournament was further notable as it was largely the same roster that underperformed in the 1998 Olympics, yet aging players likeMike RichterandPhil Housleyperformed well beyond expectations and were named to the 2002 tournament all-star team.

During both Olympic tournaments, the Team USA defeated the Soviets/Russians. Interestingly, both games were played on Friday, February 22, in their respective years, with a one-goal victory for Team USA. Team USA would also play for the gold medal on Sunday, February 24, but would lose to Canada in 2002.

NHL management and beyond

In 1980, he became director of operations for theNew York Rangersand in 1981 became the youngest general manager in Rangers history. He also served as head coach of the Rangers for parts of two seasons (1980–81 and 1984–85).

He was named general manager of thePittsburgh Penguinson December 5, 1989. During his tenure, the Penguins won twoStanley Cupchampionships, one President's Trophy, and five division titles. Patrick also served as head coach of the Penguins twice, during the 1989–90 and 1996–97 seasons.

His early years as GM of the Penguins are remembered as some of the most productive in the history of the franchise. In 1990, he spent his first round draft pick onCzechoslovakianforwardJaromir Jagr.He traded the Penguins' second round pick that year toCalgaryforJoe Mullen,a player the Flames had considered to be over the hill. Perhaps his most legendary trade occurred March 4, 1991, when he sentJohn Cullen,Jeff ParkerandZarley Zalapskito theHartford Whalersin exchange forRon Francis,Ulf SamuelssonandGrant Jennings.The move was viewed as a huge gamble. Cullen was the fifth leading scorer in the NHL at the time. However, the players Patrick acquired in the trade played big roles in the Penguins' Stanley Cup championship victories in 1991 and 1992.

Later years as GM

The Penguins also reached the Conference finals in 1996 and 2001.

However his later years were plagued by the Penguins' financial woes as well as a series of poor trades.

Perhaps his most infamous trades came in March 1996 when he sent future NHL scoring aceMarkus Näslundto theVancouver Canucksin exchange forAlek Stojanov,a role player with just two career NHL goals; a 2003Sports Illustratedarticle described this as the "worst trade in NHL history".Then, in an effort to appease then player and captain Mario Lemieux, Patrick traded top scoring defensemanSergei Zubovto the Dallas Stars for Kevin Hatcher, a slower moving and older version of Zubov with less upside at that point in their careers.

In July 2001, Patrick sent Jagr and role playerFrantisek Kucerato theWashington Capitalsfor three minor league prospects (Kris Beech,Michal Sivek,Ross Lupaschuk) and nearly US$5 million cash. The deal was forced by the Penguins financial woes (indeed this saved the club much money as Jagr would fail to live up to expectations with the Capitals), as well as Jagr's growing dissatisfaction with the Penguins. The trade was nonetheless widely criticized in the Pittsburgh media, as the three prospects acquired in the deal never made any significant contribution to the Penguins' organization. Another reason for this criticism was that the New York Rangers allegedly were willing to make a deal which would have given Pittsburgh two established players and higher quality prospects. However, many believed Patrick resented the Rangers for firing him earlier in his GM career, which made him ask for a greater and to an extent unfair return.One published report had Patrick demandingPetr Nedvěd,Radek DvořákandMike York,as well as two prospects for Jágr, which Rangers GMGlen Satherquickly shot down as Patrick's demands were unreasonable.

From the 2001–02 season onwards, Penguins missed the playoffs in the next four seasons of Patrick's term as General Manager.

After the 2004–05 lockout, in the 2005 off-season, Patrick drafted teen phenomenonSidney Crosbywith the first overall pick. Patrick also acquired veteransZiggy Palffy,Sergei Gonchar,John LeClairandMark Recchi.While 18-year-old Crosby became the youngest player in NHL history to score 100 points, the older free agents had little to show for the millions that Patrick spent on them (though Gonchar would remain a key player in 2008–09). The Penguins finished last in the Atlantic Division for the fourth consecutive time. After 17 years as Penguins General Manager, Patrick was relieved of his duties on April 20, 2006, when his expiring contract was not renewed by team presidentKen Sawyer.Succeeding GMRay Sheropraised Patrick's selection ofMarc-André Fleury,Crosby, andEvgeni Malkin,but also said that work had to be done to build up the depth and third/fourth lines for the long-term, rather than a quick-fix.

Patrick was initially bitter about his firing and stayed away from hockey-related activities for a while afterwards.The Penguins returned to the postseason in 2007, with Crosby being named regular season MVP and winning the scoring title, though they lost in five games to eventual finalists, theOttawa Senators.

In 2008, Patrick accepted an invitation from ownerMario Lemieuxto watch the game in the owners box where the Penguins defeated thePhiladelphia Flyersto take the Eastern Conference Championship. Patrick's later draft picks, Marc-André Fleury, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby were credited with the team's advance to the Stanley Cup Finals that year, where they lost to theDetroit Red Wingsin six games.In 2009, these players had instrumental roles in Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup win.

Draft history

His tenure as GM also saw a hit and miss record in theNHL Entry Draft.Sparkling first round picks early in his tenure such as Jagr,Martin Strakaand Naslund were balanced by later first round busts such asChris Wells,Robert Dome,Craig Hillier,Milan KraftandStefan Bergkvist.Productive drafts in the early 2000s produced young talent such asMarc-André Fleury,Evgeni MalkinandSidney Crosby,but could not reverse the growing opinion in the public or among team management that Patrick had lost his touch.

Patrick family history

Multiple members of the Patrick family have won the Stanley Cup.

Lester(Craig's grandfather) with Montreal Wanderers 1906, 1907 (player), Victoria Cougars 1925 (president/manager-coach), New York Rangers 1928 (playing manager-coach), 1933 (manager-coach), 1940 (manager)

Frank(Craig's grand uncle) – Vancouver Millionaires 1915 (playing president/manager-coach),

Lynn(Craig's father) – New York Rangers 1940 (player)

Murray(Craig's uncle) – New York Rangers 1940 (player)

Craig Patrick – Pittsburgh Penguins 1991, 1992 (general manager)

Chris Patrick(Craig's cousin, grandson of Murray) - Washington Capitals 2018 (director of player personnel)

Dick Patrick(Craig's cousin, son of Murray) - Washington Capitals 2018 (president)

Other family members:

Glenn(Craig's brother) – never won the Stanley Cup.

Curtiss (Craig's nephew) – minor league hockey player in theAHLandECHL.

Other

Patrick was named "The Sporting News" Executive-of-the-Year in 1998 and 1999. He is the third generation of his family to have his name inscribed on the Stanley Cup and the third generation to be enshrined in theHockey Hall of Fame(in the Builder Category). Patrick spent two years as athletic director at the University of Denver (his alma mater) in 1988–1989. He was enshrined into theUnited States Hockey Hall of Famein 1996. He was awarded theLester Patrick Trophy,named for his grandfather, in the 1999–2000 season for his outstanding service to hockey in the United States.

In December 2011, the Columbus Blue Jackets hired Patrick as a senior advisor to Hockey Operations.

On January 9, 2014, the Buffalo Sabres hired Patrick as a Special Advisor in the Hockey Operations Department.

Patrick returned to the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 19, 2018, joining the front office as a professional scout.

In 2020, Patrick joined3ICE,a professional 3-on-3 ice hockey league, as the league's commissioner.In 2023, Patrick also became a head coach for his own team in the league, while still serving as commissioner.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1963–64	Lachine Maroons	MMJHL		43	12	31	43	12		—	—	—	—	—
1964–65	Montreal Junior Canadiens	OHA		56	13	18	31	18		7	1	0	1	2
1965–66	Los Angeles Hechter Hawks	CalHL		9	15	8	23	4		—	—	—	—	—
1966–67	University of Denver	WCHA		30	18	16	34	6		—	—	—	—	—
1967–68	University of Denver	WCHA		34	23	26	49	12		—	—	—	—	—
1968–69	University of Denver	WCHA		17	7	8	15	6		—	—	—	—	—
1969–70	University of Denver	WCHA		5	9	7	16	—		—	—	—	—	—
1970–71	Montreal Voyageurs	AHL		3	0	1	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
1971–72	California Golden Seals	NHL		59	8	3	11	12		—	—	—	—	—
1971–72	Baltimore Clippers	AHL		12	3	0	3	0		—	—	—	—	—
1972–73	California Golden Seals	NHL		71	20	22	42	6		—	—	—	—	—
1973–74	California Golden Seals	NHL		59	10	20	30	17		—	—	—	—	—
1974–75	California Golden Seals	NHL		14	2	1	3	0		—	—	—	—	—
1974–75	St. Louis Blues	NHL		43	6	9	15	6		2	0	1	1	0
1975–76	Kansas City Scouts	NHL		80	17	18	35	14		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	Washington Capitals	NHL		28	7	10	17	2		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	Minnesota Fighting Saints	WHA		30	6	11	17	6		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Washington Capitals	NHL		44	1	7	8	4		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Hershey Bears	AHL		27	5	4	9	4		—	—	—	—	—
1978–79	Washington Capitals	NHL		3	1	1	2	0		—	—	—	—	—
1978–79	Tulsa Oilers	CHL		69	22	23	45	12		—	—	—	—	—
1978–79	Los Angeles Blades	PHL		7	0	1	1	27		—	—	—	—	—
WHA totals				30	6	11	17	6		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				401	72	91	163	61		2	0	1	1	0

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1970	United States	WC-B		7	8	5	13	2
1971	United States	WC		10	3	2	5	2
1976	United States	CC		5	2	2	4	0
1979	United States	WC		8	0	3	3	2
Senior totals				30	13	12	25	6

Coaching record

League	Team	Year	Regular season						Post season
			G	W	L	T	Pts	Finish	Result
NHL
	NYR	1980–81	60	26	23	11	(74)	4th inPatrick	Lost in Conf. Finals (NYI)
		1984–85	35	11	22	2	(64)	4th in Patrick	Lost in first round (PHI)
	PIT	1989–90	54	22	26	6	(72)	5th in Patrick	Missed playoffs
		1996–97	20	7	10	3	(84)	2nd in Northeast	Lost in first round (PHI)
3ICE	Team Patrick	2023	6	4	2	0	6	2nd	Lost in finals
NHL Total		169	66	81	22

See also

• List of members of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame
• Notable families in the NHL

In popular culture

In a 1981 TV movie about the 1980 U.S. hockey team calledMiracle on Ice,Patrick is portrayed by Robert Pierce.

In a 2004Disneyfilm about the team calledMiracle,he is played byNoah Emmerich.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics fromNHL,orEliteprospects,orHockey-Reference,orLegends of Hockey,orThe Internet Hockey Database