Jack Crawford

John Shea Crawford (October 26, 1916 – January 19, 1973) was a Canadian ice hockey defenceman and coach. He was born in Dublin, Ontario. Despite Crawford's preference to be called "Johnny" or "John", the media often referred to him as "Jack".

Crawford started his National Hockey League career with the Boston Bruins in 1938. He played his entire career with the Bruins and retired after the 1950 season. In 1943 and 1946, he was a member of the NHL All-Star team. He won two Stanley Cups with Boston 1939, 1941.

Crawford later coached 659 games in the American Hockey League He died at the Cape Cod Hospital on January 19, 1973. He was 56 years old.

Amateur career Crawford was born on October 26, 1916, in Dublin, Ontario. He had begun playing hockey at an early age but began to take it more seriously as a teenager and competed in the Ontario Junior league, winning the first ever Sutherland Cup as All-Ontario Junior "B" Champions in 1934. He then played for both the St. Michael’s Majors and the West Toronto Nationals between 1934 and 1936. At 19, he moved up to the Toronto McColl-Fronteacs of the TIHL, where he played defense in 1936. In his final year Crawford joined the Kirkland Lake Blue Devils (GBHL), where he shined as a shut-down defenseman, also showing his offensive abilities by scoring six goals and ten points in nine games. After this the Boston Bruins signed him to their farm team the Providence Reds (IAHL) for the 1937-1938 season.

Pro career Crawford played in 46 games for the Reds during the 1937-1938 season and gained the attention of his coaching staff he resulting in him making his first two appearances with the Boston Bruins before the end of the season. After several strong performances during training camp the following year he earned a promotion to the Bruins blueline for the 1938-1939 season. The 5’11, 190-pound defender went on to have a solid rookie year in the NHL appearing in all 48 games that season, helping the Bruins win that year’s Stanley Cup. He was named Bruins Captain during the 1945-46 season, going on to have another stellar campaign resulting in him being named to the NHL First All-Star team. He continued his defensive efficiency, then playing his final year with the Bruins in 1950.

Coaching/later career After retirement Crawford went on to coach 659 games in the American Hockey League (10th on the all-time list)