Craig Hillier

Craig Hillier (born February 28, 1978) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He was drafted in the first round, 23rd overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1996 NHL entry draft.

Career Born in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada, Hillier started playing as a goaltender when he was six years old. He found his cousin's equipment and thought "how cool it was" to play goaltender

After four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Ottawa 67's, Hillier turned pro in 1998. Hillier made his professional debut against the then-Stanley Cup champions Detroit Red Wings in a preseason game as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins in September 1998. Hillier initially started the game as the backup goaltender, but the starting goaltender was injured several minutes into the game. Hillier lost his debut at Joe Louis Arena by the score of 3–2. Shortly after, Hillier was reassigned to Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate in Syracuse, where he was immediately placed into the role of starting goaltender. Hillier has also started his own real estate company that has been in operation since 2005.