| Craig Wolanin |
| Craig W. Wolanin Defense Left-Handed Shot Height: 6' 4", Weight: 215 pounds Born: 7.27.67 Grosse Pointe, Michigan |
| How he arrived: Via Entry Draft How he left: Traded to the Quebec Nordiques with future considerations for Peter Stastny, 3.6.90 |
|
| Regular Season Statistics with the Franchise Stats in bold signifies team leader. |
Wolanin was a big guy, and he played that way, too. By that, I just mean that he was adept at clearing his own crease and
eventually becoming a good defensive defenseman.
When he debuted with the Devils in 1985, he became the youngest player (at the time) to ever play for the team at 18 years and
2 months. I think that's still the record.
He also got his name in the books for scoring the first ever goal in Devils' postseason history when he tallied against the Islanders
in Game 1 of that series.
He missed a lot of time the following season (a month) after having surgery on his knee to repair some damaged cartilage.
He sat as a healthy scratch the first couple weeks of the 89-90 season. He then requested a trade. He would get it, but not until
deadline day. AND for a future HoFer, too.
He would stay with the Nordqiues/Avalanche franchise long enough to win the Stanley Cup in Denver. He would be traded to
Tampa Bay the following summer, but his stay there was very short. He would finish the season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He would only play 10 games with the Leafs in 97-98. His knees had been trouble his entire career, and this time, it was ACL
surgery. He was done in the NHL after that. He would try a comeback with the IHL's Detroit Vipers late the following season.
That lasted 16 regular season games and 11 playoff games.
He opened the Summer Chill Hockey School after he retired. He also plays in charity games for the Detroit Red Wings Alumni
Association. (He never played for the Red Wings, but Grosse Pointe is just up the road from Detroit.)
eventually becoming a good defensive defenseman.
When he debuted with the Devils in 1985, he became the youngest player (at the time) to ever play for the team at 18 years and
2 months. I think that's still the record.
He also got his name in the books for scoring the first ever goal in Devils' postseason history when he tallied against the Islanders
in Game 1 of that series.
He missed a lot of time the following season (a month) after having surgery on his knee to repair some damaged cartilage.
He sat as a healthy scratch the first couple weeks of the 89-90 season. He then requested a trade. He would get it, but not until
deadline day. AND for a future HoFer, too.
He would stay with the Nordqiues/Avalanche franchise long enough to win the Stanley Cup in Denver. He would be traded to
Tampa Bay the following summer, but his stay there was very short. He would finish the season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He would only play 10 games with the Leafs in 97-98. His knees had been trouble his entire career, and this time, it was ACL
surgery. He was done in the NHL after that. He would try a comeback with the IHL's Detroit Vipers late the following season.
That lasted 16 regular season games and 11 playoff games.
He opened the Summer Chill Hockey School after he retired. He also plays in charity games for the Detroit Red Wings Alumni
Association. (He never played for the Red Wings, but Grosse Pointe is just up the road from Detroit.)
| Back to: |
| Entry Draft: 1985 First Round Pick (3rd overall) by the New Jersey Devils |
|
| Playoff Statistics with the Franchise |
