Marc Crawford

Marc Crawford (b. February 13, 1961 in Belleville, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian National Hockey League head coach and former forward for the Vancouver Canucks. He was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, 4th round, 70th overall. Standing 5'11" (1.80 m) tall, and weighing 185 lbs (84 kg).

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February 13 - 1961 - Belleville - Ontario - Canada - National Hockey League - Head coach - Forward - Vancouver Canucks - 1980 NHL Entry Draft

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As a rookie left winger with the Canucks, Crawford played in the 1981-82 Stanley Cup finals where Vancouver was defeated by the New York Islanders in four straight.

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Rookie - Left winger - Stanley Cup - New York Islanders

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Crawford would spend the next six years flying between Vancouver and Fredericton, New Brunswick, alternating between the Canucks and their farm team, the Fredericton Express of the AHL. All this flying would eventually earn him the nickname "747", though most contemporary Canucks fans now know him as "Crow".

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Vancouver - Fredericton, New Brunswick - Farm team - Fredericton Express - AHL

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As head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, he successfully led his team to victory of the 1996 Stanley Cup championship by sweeping the Florida Panthers 4-0 in the finals on a goal by Uwe Krupp. This in the first year after the team had relocated from Quebec City (See Quebec Nordiques). The following two years would see the Avalanche bow out early in the playoffs. General manager Pierre Lacroix would offer him a one-year contract extension, but feeling that he was deserving of a more lucrative and long-term contract, Crawford resigned as Colorado coach on May 27, 1998, and proceeded to sign on as head coach of the Canucks in January, 1999.

Related Topics:
Colorado Avalanche - 1996 - Stanley Cup - Florida Panthers - Goal - Uwe Krupp - Quebec City - Quebec Nordiques - Pierre Lacroix - Canucks

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Crawford was also the head coach of the 1998 Canadian olympic hockey team where they finished 4th, to the disappointment of many Canadians. Many fans blame him for using Ray Bourque in the shoot-out against Dominik Ha?ek instead of Wayne Gretzky as the reason why Canada did so poorly. However, he continues to be considered one of the elite coaches in the NHL.

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1998 - Olympic - Ray Bourque - Dominik Ha?ek - Wayne Gretzky

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In 1995, he won the NHL's Jack Adams Award as Coach of the Year.

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1995 - Jack Adams Award

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