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John Crawford

Born:Oct 26, 1916Draft: Undrafted
Hometown:Barnstable, MassachusettsPosition:Defense
Known For:2x Stanley Cup Champion (1939, 1941)Shoots:Right
National Team:United States

John Crawford (October 26, 1916 – January 19, 1973) was an American ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL with the Boston Bruins during the 1949-50 season. Crawford debuted in the NHL in the 1937-38 season but only appeared in two games, spending the remainder of the year with the Providence Reds of the IAHL. After aiding the Reds to the 1938 Calder Cup Championship, he became an NHL regular the following year, earning a permanent role on the Bruins blue line and sticking with the team for the entirety of his 13-year NHL career. His dedication to the team and standard he set for his teammates earned him the captaincy for the 1946-47 season, a role he’d hold until his final season with the Bruins.

John Crawford
Dit Clapper (center), Bill Cowley and Jack Crawford of the Boston Bruins holding the Stanley Cup in 1941. (Courtest of Stewart Richardson and The Sports Museum)

Following the 1949-50 season, Crawford played in parts of two seasons for the Bruins AHL affiliate Hershey Bears. In a combined two seasons, he registered 13 points (1 goal, 12 assists), while also acting as the team’s head coach. After announcing his retirement in 1952, he remained with the Bruins organization in a front-office role, continuing to serve as the head coach for the Hershey Bears and Providence Reds. Sadly, Crawford passed away in 1973 at the age of 56.

John Crawford Statistics

Staff History

  • Hershey Bears, AHL (Player/Coach) 1950-1952
  • Providence Reds, AHL (Head Coach) 1955-1960
  • Rochester Americans, AHL (Head Coach) 1961-1962
  • Baltimore Clippers, AHL (Head Coach) 1964-1966
  • Cape Cod Cubs, EHL-Sr. (General Manager) 1972-1973

Achievements

  • AHL Calder Cup Champion (1938)
  • 2x NHL Stanley Cup Champion (1939, 1941)
  • NHL Second All-Star Team (1943)
  • NHL Playoffs Most Assists by Defenseman (5) (1945)
  • NHL First All-Star Team (1946)
  • AHL Calder Cup Champion, Head Coach (1956)
  • 2x AHL All-Star Game, Head Coach (1957, 1958)

Sources