Marc Crawford's journey in the world of hockey began as a player before transitioning into a coaching career that spanned several decades. Born on February 13, 1961, in Belleville, Ontario, Crawford first made his mark as a left winger. He played junior hockey with the Cornwall Royals in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he was part of the team that won the Memorial Cup in 1980 and 1981.
Crawford was drafted 70th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. He played for the Canucks from 1981 to 1987, appearing in 176 games and scoring 19 goals with 31 assists. His playing career was relatively brief, and after a stint with the Milwaukee Admirals in the International Hockey League (IHL), he retired from professional play.
Transitioning to coaching, Crawford began his new career path in the early 1990s. He started in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the St. John’s Maple Leafs, where he quickly demonstrated his ability to lead and develop players. His efforts were recognized when he won the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL's Coach of the Year in 1993.
Crawford's NHL coaching career took off when he was appointed head coach of the Quebec Nordiques in 1994. In his first season, he led the team to a division title, earning the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's Coach of the Year. When the Nordiques relocated to become the Colorado Avalanche, Crawford continued as head coach. Under his guidance, the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 1996, defeating the Florida Panthers in a four-game sweep. This victory marked a high point in Crawford's coaching career.
After his tenure with the Avalanche, Crawford went on to coach several other NHL teams. He took the helm of the Vancouver Canucks in 1999, where he remained until 2006. During his time with the Canucks, Crawford helped the team reach the playoffs multiple times, although they did not advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Crawford's coaching journey continued with the Los Angeles Kings, where he served as head coach from 2006 to 2008. He then moved to the Dallas Stars for the 2009-2011 seasons. Despite his efforts, these teams did not achieve significant playoff success under his leadership.
In 2012, Crawford took his coaching expertise overseas to Switzerland, where he coached the ZSC Lions in the National League A (NLA). His impact was felt as he led the team to a Swiss championship in 2014. This international experience added a new dimension to his coaching career.
Returning to the NHL, Crawford joined the Ottawa Senators as an associate coach in 2016. He later served as the interim head coach for the Senators during the 2018-2019 season. His extensive experience and knowledge of the game were valuable assets to the teams he worked with.
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