Corey Crawford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Corey Crawford
Crawford with the Chicago Blackhawks in January 2011
Born	(1984-12-31) December 31, 1984 (age 40) Châteauguay, Quebec, Canada
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Left
Played for	Chicago Blackhawks
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	52nd overall, 2003 Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career	2005–2020

Corey Crawford (born December 31, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. His teammates and fans called him "Crow". He played his whole professional career with the Chicago Blackhawks in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Blackhawks picked him in the second round of the 2003 NHL Draft.

Crawford started playing in the NHL in 2006. He stayed with the team until the 2019–20 NHL season. He won the famous Stanley Cup twice with the Blackhawks. These wins were in 2013 and 2015. He also won the William M. Jennings Trophy twice for allowing the fewest goals.

Corey Crawford's Hockey Journey

Junior Hockey Years

Corey Crawford was chosen by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2003 NHL Draft. He was the 52nd player picked overall. Before joining junior hockey, he played for the Gatineau Intrépides. Then, he played for the Moncton Wildcats in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

In the 2003–04 QMJHL playoffs, Crawford was the Wildcats' goalie. They reached the President's Cup final but lost to the Gatineau Olympiques. Crawford still holds Wildcats records for best goals against average (GAA) and most wins in a season. He also shares the record for most shutouts in a season. He was named to the QMJHL's Second All-Star team twice. The Wildcats honored him by retiring his jersey number, 29, in November 2023.

Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks (2005–2020)

Early Career (2005–2009)

Crawford spent his first five years as a pro in the American Hockey League (AHL). This was from 2005 to 2010.

He first played for the Norfolk Admirals in October 2005. The Admirals were linked to the Blackhawks at that time. After two seasons there, he played for the Rockford IceHogs. The IceHogs became the Blackhawks' new AHL team. He played 255 AHL games, winning 135 of them. The IceHogs also retired his No. 29 jersey in February 2024.

Crawford made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in January 2006. He played against the Minnesota Wild. He came into the game in the third period and stopped all seven shots. His first NHL start was against the St. Louis Blues in February.

He got his first NHL win and shutout in March 2008. This was a 3–0 win against the Anaheim Ducks. He also played great against the Detroit Red Wings, stopping 45 shots.

The Blackhawks signed Crawford to a new deal in July 2008. He was called up to the Blackhawks during the 2009 playoffs. He played his first playoff game in May 2009. He came in during a game against the Detroit Red Wings. The Blackhawks lost that series.

Becoming a Star and Winning Cups (2009–2017)

Crawford at the Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup parade

For the 2009–10 season, Crawford played only one game for the Blackhawks. This was in March 2010 against the Anaheim Ducks. The Blackhawks lost that game.

In the 2010 playoffs, Antti Niemi was the main goalie. The Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup in 49 years. They beat the Philadelphia Flyers in the finals. Crawford didn't play in the playoffs. So, his name wasn't put on the Stanley Cup. But he did get a championship ring and joined the parade.

Crawford warming up before a game in February 2011

After the 2010 season, the Blackhawks' main goalies left. Crawford became the team's backup goalie. He played behind Marty Turco. Soon, Crawford became the team's starting goalie. He had a great shutout streak in January 2011. It was the longest for a Blackhawks goalie since Tony Esposito in 1972.

From February to March, Crawford won eight games in a row. This was a new record for a rookie goalie. He got his 30th win in March, becoming the first Blackhawks goalie to do so since 2002. He finished his first full NHL season with 33 wins. The Blackhawks made the 2011 playoffs as the last seed.

In the first round of the 2011 playoffs, Crawford played against the Vancouver Canucks. He got his first playoff assist in April. He also had a 36-save shutout in game five. The Blackhawks came back from being down 3–0 in the series. But they lost game seven in overtime.

In May 2011, Crawford signed a new three-year contract. He was also named to the NHL All-Star Rookie Team. In the 2011–12 season, Crawford started strong but then struggled. He shared playing time with Ray Emery. But Crawford got his starting job back. The Blackhawks lost in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. Crawford finished the season with 30 wins. He was the first Blackhawks goalie to win 30 games in two seasons in a row since Ed Belfour in the 1990s.

Crawford during the Blackhawks 2013 Stanley Cup parade

The 2012–13 season was shorter because of a lockout. The Blackhawks started the season with a 24-game point streak. Crawford had a strong start, going 11–0–3. He finished the season with 19 wins. He also had a low 1.94 GAA and three shutouts. For his great play, he won the William M. Jennings Trophy with Ray Emery.

Crawford was the starting goalie for the 2013 playoffs. The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup that year! They beat the Boston Bruins in six games in the finals.

In September 2013, Crawford signed a big six-year contract. In December, he hurt his groin and missed eight games. He finished the 2013–14 season with 32 wins. In the 2014 playoffs, the Blackhawks made another deep run. They reached the Western Conference Finals. But they lost to the Los Angeles Kings in seven games.

Crawford in action at the 2015 NHL Winter Classic

Crawford started the 2014–15 season well. But he hurt his foot in December 2014. He was chosen for his first NHL All-Star Game in 2015. In March 2015, he got his 30th win of the season. This was his fourth 30-win season. Crawford and Carey Price shared the William M. Jennings Trophy for the 2014–15 season.

In the playoffs, Crawford was benched for a short time. But he came back strong. He helped the Blackhawks win their third Stanley Cup in six seasons. They beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games in the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals. This was Crawford's second Stanley Cup as a starting goalie.

During the 2015–16 season, Crawford played 58 games. He had 35 wins and seven shutouts. He missed some time with an upper-body injury. He finished the year with a career-high 35 wins. He also led the NHL in shutouts. He broke Tony Esposito's Blackhawks playoff record for wins. But the Blackhawks lost in the first round of the 2016 playoffs.

Crawford had emergency surgery in December 2016. He returned to play later that month. He was chosen for his second NHL All-Star Game in 2017. He finished the 2016–17 season with 32 wins. The Blackhawks won their division. But they were swept in the first round of the 2017 playoffs.

Final Seasons in Chicago (2017–2020)

Crawford started the 2017–18 season very well. He had a low GAA and high save percentage. In December 2017, he got a lower-body injury. He returned but then got another upper-body injury. The Blackhawks later said he had a concussion. He missed the rest of the season. The Blackhawks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

After missing many games, Crawford returned in October 2018. He got another concussion in December. This happened when a player was pushed into him. He missed 28 games. In March 2019, he made a career-high 48 saves in a win. He finished the 2018–19 season with 14 wins. He was nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This award is for players who show great spirit and dedication.

Before the 2019–20 season, the Blackhawks signed goalie Robin Lehner. Crawford and Lehner shared the goalie duties. Lehner was traded in February 2020. Crawford started the last 10 games before the season was stopped. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He finished the season with 16 wins. He was nominated for the Bill Masterton Trophy again.

Crawford was late joining the Blackhawks for the 2020 playoffs. He said he was recovering from COVID-19. But he returned for the qualifying round. The Blackhawks upset the Edmonton Oilers. But they lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in the next round. Crawford started all nine playoff games.

In October 2020, the Blackhawks announced they would not re-sign Crawford. This ended his 17 years with Chicago. His 260 career wins are the third most in Blackhawks history. His 52 playoff wins are the most by any Blackhawks goalie. He is also the only Blackhawks goalie to win more than one Stanley Cup.

Retirement from Hockey

On October 9, 2020, Crawford signed a two-year contract with the New Jersey Devils. But he missed some training camp days. In January 2021, the Devils said Crawford would take time off. The next day, he announced he was retiring from hockey. He did not play any games for the Devils.

He later said he retired because of ongoing problems from concussions he got during his career. He explained that it was a tough decision. But it was the right choice for his mental health and well-being. He needed to stop playing to feel like himself again.

Corey Crawford's Life Outside Hockey

Corey Crawford grew up in Châteauguay, Quebec. He can speak both French and English very well.

He is married and has three children.

Crawford also enjoys collecting and fixing old cars. He owns a 1969 Chevelle and a 1969 Camaro. He once restored a 1970 Chevelle and gave it to the Blackhawks Foundation. The car was sold at an auction for over $200,000.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's ice hockey
World Cup
Gold	2016 Toronto

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	W	L	MIN	SV%	GA	SO	GAA
2016	Canada	WCH			1	1	0	60	.950	1	0	1.00
Senior totals					1	1	0	60	.950	1	0	1.00

Awards and Achievements