Jim Craig
We are thrilled to announce this years keynote speaker, a true legend both on and off the ice—Jim Craig!
Best known as the iconic goalie of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey "Miracle" Team, Jim's incredible performance in that historic game earned him a place in sports history, with the moment voted by Sports Illustrated as the greatest in sports history of the 20th century.
However, Jim’s achievements extend far beyond his hockey career. With over 40 years of experience in business and sales, Jim has made a remarkable impact in the corporate world. As Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Hat Trick Group, he boosted annual sales by 80% and expanded the client base by 30% in just two years.
His impressive business acumen continued at Valassis Inserts, where he grew an operating unit from $300,000 in sales to an astounding $50 million annually. Jim’s accolades include President’s Club honors, Sales Hall of Fame recognition, and numerous prestigious awards such as the Marketing Services Consultant of the Year and Salesman of the Year.
A published author of two business books—Gold Medal Strategies and We Win—Jim has inspired countless individuals and organizations with his lessons on teamwork, leadership, and success. His company, Gold Medal Strategies, has helped over 50 organizations strengthen their teams and leadership, earning him a reputation as one of the top five speakers on team building in the United States.
Jim’s influence is far-reaching. He has served as a spokesman for W.L. Gore's Ultimate SAAAVE Campaign since 2007 and is an active board member of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. He was honored with the 2023 Olympus Within Leadership Award by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum and holds an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Mercy College.
A celebrated hockey player, Jim is enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame and is a member of both the U.S. Olympic and Boston University Halls of Fame. He’s a co-recipient of the Lester Patrick Award and the Sports Illustrated "Sportsman of the Year" Award.