Craig Janney
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Craig Harlan Janney (born September 26, 1967) is an American former professional ice hockey center who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1987–88 until 1998–99, when blood clots ended his career prematurely.
Key Information
Playing career
[edit]Known as an excellent puck-distributing center, Janney averaged nearly one point per game in his NHL career. Janney was drafted in the first round, 13th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft, and also played in the 1987 World Ice Hockey Championships, 1991 Canada Cup and the 1994 World Ice Hockey Championships for Team USA.
Prior to his NHL career, Janney attended Enfield High School in Enfield, Connecticut before attending Deerfield Academy. Janney played for the Boston College Eagles during his collegiate years, and he also played on the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team that finished seventh at the Calgary Olympic Games, where he had six points in five Olympic contests.
In 1992, the Boston Bruins traded Janney with Stephane Quintal to the St. Louis Blues for Adam Oates. Two years later, the St. Louis Blues signed restricted free agent Petr Nedvěd who was in a contract dispute with the Vancouver Canucks. An arbitrator awarded the Canucks a second round draft pick along with Craig Janney. Both teams were not satisfied with the decision and the Canucks traded Janney back for Jeff Brown, Bret Hedican and Nathan LaFayette. In 1995, the St. Louis Blues traded Janney to the San Jose Sharks for Jeff Norton and a conditional draft pick. One year later, Janney was traded to the Winnipeg Jets for Darren Turcotte and a second round draft pick.[1] Janney joined the team when it relocated to become the Phoenix Coyotes, before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning on June 11, 1998, along for the rights to Louie DeBrusk and a fifth round pick in 1998.[2]
In 2004, Craig Janney was honored as having "The Softest Hands in Hockey" by the NHL Alumni Board. On February 13, 2007 Janney was named the interim head coach of the Lubbock Cotton Kings of the CHL. He would finish the season, but the Lubbock Cotton Kings would cease operations at the end of the 2007 season.
Recently, Janney has been appearing on NESN for Hockey East coverage. He currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife, former model Kim Janney and daughter Barrette Janney.
Janney is a 1996 inductee of the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame.[3]
Career statistics
[edit]Regular season and playoffs
[edit]| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1984–85 | Deerfield Academy | HS-Prep | 17 | 35 | 33 | 68 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1985–86 | Boston College | HE | 34 | 13 | 14 | 27 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | Boston College | HE | 37 | 28 | 55 | 83 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | United States | Intl | 52 | 26 | 44 | 70 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 15 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 0 | 23 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 11 | ||
| 1988–89 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 62 | 16 | 46 | 62 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 21 | ||
| 1989–90 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 55 | 24 | 38 | 62 | 4 | 18 | 3 | 19 | 22 | 2 | ||
| 1990–91 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 77 | 26 | 66 | 92 | 8 | 18 | 4 | 18 | 22 | 11 | ||
| 1991–92 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 53 | 12 | 39 | 51 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 25 | 6 | 30 | 36 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | ||
| 1992–93 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 84 | 24 | 82 | 106 | 12 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 0 | ||
| 1993–94 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 69 | 16 | 68 | 84 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 1994–95 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 8 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 27 | 5 | 15 | 20 | 10 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 4 | ||
| 1995–96 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 71 | 13 | 49 | 62 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 13 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 1996–97 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 77 | 15 | 38 | 53 | 26 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 1997–98 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 68 | 10 | 43 | 53 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 1998–99 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 38 | 4 | 18 | 22 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | New York Islanders | NHL | 18 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 760 | 188 | 563 | 751 | 170 | 120 | 24 | 86 | 110 | 53 | ||||
International
[edit]| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | United States | WJC | 7 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | |
| 1986 | United States | WJC | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| 1987 | United States | WC | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1988 | United States | OG | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | |
| 1991 | United States | CC | 8 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | |
| 1994 | United States | WC | 7 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | |
| Junior totals | 10 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 2 | |||
| Senior totals | 31 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 2 | |||
Awards and honors
[edit]| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| All-Hockey East First Team | 1986–87 | [4] |
| AHCA East First-Team All-American | 1986–87 | [5] |
| Hockey East All-Tournament Team | 1987 | [6] |
| Named One of Top 100 Best Bruins Players of all Time | 2024 | [7] |
References
[edit]- ^ "Craig Janney Stats and Profile". hockeydb.com.
- ^ "First and Last trade for every Tampa Bay Lightning General Manager". SBNation. September 29, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
- ^ "Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame". www.enfieldathletichof.org. Archived from the original on January 13, 2018.
- ^ "Hockey East All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
- ^ "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
- ^ "2013-14 Hockey East Media Guide". Hockey East. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
- ^ "Bruins Announce "Historic 100" Ahead of All-Centennial Team Reveal | Boston Bruins". www.nhl.com. September 12, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
Craig Janney
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Childhood and family background
Craig Harlan Janney was born on September 26, 1967, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Harlan Thomas Janney and Monica (Dorcic) Janney.[3][4] He grew up in nearby Enfield, Connecticut, alongside his older brother Matthew and younger sister, in a family deeply involved in the local hockey community.[5] Janney's early exposure to hockey came through the youth leagues of the Enfield Hockey Association, where his father served as a minor hockey coach in the Hartford area, providing direct guidance and encouragement.[6] The family's support was instrumental, fostering his passion amid the vibrant New England hockey scene, including access to local rinks like those in Enfield. At age 12, Janney was profoundly influenced by the U.S. Olympic team's "Miracle on Ice" victory at the 1980 Lake Placid Games, which he watched from home and later cited as a pivotal spark for his career aspirations.[5]High school and preparatory years
Craig Janney attended Enfield High School in Enfield, Connecticut, where he played varsity hockey for three seasons.[7] During his time there, he earned All-State honors each year and led the Raiders to back-to-back state championships, winning the Division II title in 1982 as a freshman and the Division I title in 1983 as a sophomore, during which the team achieved a 43-game winning streak.[7][8] He was named Tournament MVP in both championship seasons, contributing significantly to the team's explosive offense as a key playmaker.[7][9] After his junior year, Janney transferred to Deerfield Academy, a prestigious preparatory school in Massachusetts, to complete his high school education.[8] In the 1984-85 season with the Deerfield Big Green, he delivered a standout performance, recording 33 goals and 35 assists for 68 points in 17 games, showcasing his scoring and playmaking abilities in the competitive New England prep league.[10] The academy's rigorous academic program, combined with its strong athletic tradition, helped prepare Janney for the demands of college-level hockey and education at Boston College.[11] In recognition of his contributions to Enfield High School hockey, Janney was inducted into the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class in 1996.[7][12]College and amateur career
Boston College achievements
Craig Janney enrolled at Boston College in 1985 and played two seasons for the Eagles men's ice hockey team from 1985 to 1987.[13] As a highly skilled center known for his playmaking and scoring ability, Janney quickly became a key contributor to the program, accumulating 110 points (41 goals and 69 assists) over 71 games during his collegiate career.[14] His time at Boston College laid a strong foundation for his professional career, emphasizing his role as a productive offensive player in the competitive Hockey East Conference.[15] In his freshman season of 1985–86, Janney appeared in 34 games, recording 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points, while adjusting to the collegiate level under head coach Len Ceglarski.[16] This performance helped the Eagles maintain a solid presence in Hockey East, though the team lost in the conference championship game that year. Janney's early contributions demonstrated his potential as a setup man, setting the stage for greater impact in his sophomore year.[17] Janney's sophomore campaign in 1986–87 marked a breakout year, where he led the team with 55 assists and tallied 28 goals for a total of 83 points in 37 games, setting a Boston College single-season record that still stands.[18] His offensive prowess propelled the Eagles to a 31–9 record and their first Hockey East regular-season and tournament championships, including a conference tournament MVP-caliber performance that earned him a spot on the Hockey East All-Tournament Team.[13] For his efforts, Janney was named to the All-Hockey East First Team, the AHCA East First-Team All-American, and became a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, recognizing him as one of the top players in college hockey.[14]Draft selection
Janney was selected by the Boston Bruins in the first round, 13th overall, of the 1986 NHL Entry Draft after a standout freshman season at Boston College.[19] Pre-draft scouting highlighted his exceptional playmaking skills, including his ability to read defenders, thread precise passes through heavy traffic, and deceive opponents with deceptive vision on the ice.[5] Opting to return for his sophomore year, Janney completed his college eligibility at Boston College in 1987, where his performance further validated his draft position.[5] He signed his first professional contract with the Bruins that summer, transitioning from amateur to pro status.[14]Professional playing career
Boston Bruins tenure
Janney made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins during the 1987–88 season, appearing in 15 regular-season games and recording 7 goals and 9 assists for 16 points.[2] He also contributed significantly in the playoffs that year, tallying 6 goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 23 games as the Bruins advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals.[15] Over the next four seasons with Boston from 1988–89 to 1991–92, Janney established himself as a reliable playmaking center, accumulating 267 points in 247 games, including a career-high 92 points (26 goals, 66 assists) in 1990–91.[2] His assist totals highlighted his distribution skills, with 66 in 1990–91 marking one of his strongest seasons.[20] Janney played a key role in the Bruins' postseason success during the 1989–90 campaign, when the team won the Presidents' Trophy and reached the Stanley Cup Finals.[21] In the playoffs, he recorded 3 goals and 19 assists for 22 points in 18 games, helping Boston defeat the Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Washington Capitals before falling to the Edmonton Oilers.[22] Known for his pass-first style and exceptional stickhandling, Janney excelled as a setup man, often centering lines with power forward Cam Neely and winger Bob Joyce to create scoring opportunities.[23][24] This chemistry contributed to the Bruins' offensive firepower during his tenure.[20]Trades and later NHL teams
On February 7, 1992, the St. Louis Blues traded center Adam Oates to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Janney and defenseman Stéphane Quintal, a move prompted by a contract dispute between Oates and the Blues that had created ongoing tension.[25] Janney quickly adapted to his new team, forming a productive partnership with Brett Hull and contributing significantly to the Blues' offensive output during his primary tenure from 1992 to 1995, where he amassed 233 points (48 goals and 185 assists) in 186 games.[26] In March 1994, Janney was traded to the Vancouver Canucks as compensation for free agent Petr Nedved and then immediately returned to the Blues in a deal involving Jeff Brown, Bret Hedican, and Nathan LaFayette, without playing any games for Vancouver.[2] His playmaking ability helped the Blues reach the playoffs in three consecutive seasons, though they were eliminated early each time, highlighting Janney's role in sustaining a competitive roster amid roster adjustments for salary management and depth at center.[2] Midway through the 1994–95 season, on March 6, 1995, the Blues traded Janney to the San Jose Sharks along with cash considerations for defenseman Jeff Norton and a conditional 1997 third-round draft pick, as St. Louis sought to bolster its blue line amid injury challenges and cap constraints.[2] During his time with the Sharks from March 1995 to March 1996, spanning parts of two seasons, Janney recorded 82 points (18 goals and 64 assists) in 98 games, providing veteran leadership to a young Sharks team aiming to improve playoff contention.[26] However, his time there was brief; on March 18, 1996, the Sharks dealt him to the Winnipeg Jets for center Darren Turcotte and a 1996 second-round pick, a deadline swap to acquire immediate forward scoring for San Jose's push toward the postseason while Winnipeg looked to add a skilled playmaker to its lineup.[2] Janney remained with the franchise as it relocated and became the Phoenix Coyotes for the 1996–97 season, where he played through 1997–98, totaling 106 points (25 goals and 81 assists) in 145 games and serving as a key setup man for emerging talents amid the team's expansion-era rebuilding efforts focused on developing young players and managing payroll.[26] On June 11, 1998, the Coyotes traded him to the Tampa Bay Lightning for winger Louie DeBrusk and a 1998 fifth-round pick, allowing Phoenix to clear cap space and acquire physical presence while Tampa sought to enhance its center depth for a franchise in need of offensive creativity.[2] Janney appeared in 38 games for the Lightning in 1998–99, posting 22 points (4 goals and 18 assists), before being traded again on January 18, 1999, to the New York Islanders for a 1999 sixth-round pick, a move that provided Tampa with draft capital during a rebuilding phase.[2] His brief stint with the Islanders yielded 5 points (1 goal and 4 assists) in 18 games, marking the end of his NHL journey across seven teams after leaving Boston.[26] Throughout his later career, Janney's production gradually declined due to accumulating injuries, including persistent issues that limited his ice time and effectiveness in his final seasons.[2] These health challenges culminated in blood clots that forced his retirement at age 31 after the 1998–99 season, having played 760 regular-season games in total.[27]International representation
Olympic participation
Craig Janney was selected to represent Team USA at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, after forgoing his senior year at Boston College to join the U.S. Men's National Team program during the 1987-88 season. As part of the Olympic preparation, he participated in an extensive exhibition schedule, playing 52 games and accumulating 26 goals and 44 assists, which honed his skills as a playmaking center ahead of the tournament.[28][1] In the Olympics, Janney served as a key forward for the American squad, centering lines that emphasized puck distribution and offensive transitions. He contributed offensively with 3 goals and 1 assist for 4 points over 5 games, tying for third in team scoring despite the squad's overall struggles. His goals came in high-scoring affairs, including the preliminary round opener, underscoring his role in generating chances against tougher international competition.[15][29] Janney's most notable Olympic moment included his performance in the 5-7 loss to the Soviet Union, where he helped drive the U.S. attack in a competitive matchup reminiscent of past rivalries, though the team ultimately fell short. The U.S. finished seventh overall, missing the medal round after a 3-2-0 preliminary record, but Janney's efforts highlighted his emergence as a promising NHL prospect transitioning from collegiate to international play.[1][30]Other international tournaments
Craig Janney represented the United States in several senior international tournaments beyond the Olympics, showcasing his playmaking prowess on the global stage. His selection for these events was driven by his reputation as one of the NHL's top assist leaders, with scouts valuing his vision and puck distribution skills that aligned well with the faster, more open style of international competition, where quick transitions and setup plays were crucial.[1] In the 1987 IIHF World Championship, Janney made his senior international debut shortly after his college career, appearing in 10 games for Team USA, which finished eighth in Vienna, Austria. Playing as a 19-year-old center, he contributed 1 goal amid a roster featuring emerging American talent, gaining early exposure to high-stakes international play that honed his defensive responsibilities alongside his offensive instincts.[31] Janney's most notable performance came at the 1991 Canada Cup, where he helped lead the United States to the tournament final against Canada. Over eight games, he tallied 4 goals and 2 assists for 6 points, including key scoring contributions that supported Team USA's upset victories and their first-ever appearance in the Canada Cup final, though they fell short in the best-of-three final series to Canada, losing 4-1 in Game 1 and 4-2 in Game 2. His ability to deliver precise passes under pressure was instrumental in generating scoring chances against elite defenses.[32][1] Janney returned to international duty at the 1994 IIHF World Championship in Italy, where he played seven games and recorded 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points as Team USA placed eighth. Arriving fresh off the NHL playoffs with the St. Louis Blues, his assists were particularly effective in powering offensive transitions, including a two-assist effort in a 7-2 rout of Norway.[33][34] Across his non-Olympic international appearances, Janney amassed 25 games played, 7 goals, 7 assists, and 14 points for Team USA, underscoring his consistent impact as a facilitator in multi-nation tournaments. His prior Olympic experience in 1988 served as foundational international exposure that prepared him for these competitive environments.[1]Career statistics
NHL regular season and playoffs
Janney's NHL regular season career spanned 12 seasons from 1987 to 1999, during which he established himself as a prolific playmaking center, accumulating totals of 760 games played (GP), 188 goals (G), 563 assists (A), 751 points (P), and 170 penalty minutes (PIM), for an average of 0.988 points per game.[2] His production peaked in the early 1990s, particularly with the St. Louis Blues, where he frequently exceeded 80 points in a season, showcasing his elite vision and passing ability.[5] The following table summarizes his year-by-year regular season performance:[2]| Season | Team | GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987-88 | BOS | 15 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 0 |
| 1988-89 | BOS | 62 | 16 | 46 | 62 | 12 |
| 1989-90 | BOS | 55 | 24 | 38 | 62 | 4 |
| 1990-91 | BOS | 77 | 26 | 66 | 92 | 8 |
| 1991-92 | 2TM | 78 | 18 | 69 | 87 | 22 |
| 1992-93 | STL | 84 | 24 | 82 | 106 | 12 |
| 1993-94 | STL | 69 | 16 | 68 | 84 | 24 |
| 1994-95 | 2TM | 35 | 7 | 20 | 27 | 10 |
| 1995-96 | 2TM | 84 | 20 | 62 | 82 | 26 |
| 1996-97 | PHX | 77 | 15 | 38 | 53 | 26 |
| 1997-98 | PHX | 68 | 10 | 43 | 53 | 12 |
| 1998-99 | 2TM | 56 | 5 | 22 | 27 | 14 |
International competitions
Craig Janney's international career with Team USA spanned senior tournaments from 1987 to 1994, where he recorded 30 games played, 10 goals, 8 assists, and 18 points.[36] His statistical contributions are detailed in the following table, focusing on key senior-level events.| Tournament | Year | GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Championship | 1987 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Olympics | 1988 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Canada Cup | 1991 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| World Championship | 1994 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
