Dave Christian

Olympic gold medalist and NHL forward who played for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Dave Christian is an American former professional ice hockey forward who played for the Chicago Blackhawks among five NHL teams.

Quick Facts

Played for

Winnipeg Jets
Washington Capitals
Boston Bruins
St. Louis Blues
Chicago Blackhawks

Position

Right wing

Shoots

Right

Born

12 May 1959

Birthplace

Warroad, Minnesota, U.S.

Draft

40th overall

Drafted by

Winnipeg Jets

Lore & Background

Christian was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team that won the gold medal in the Miracle on Ice. He played for the Chicago Blackhawks after stints with the Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals, and later with the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues. He ended his NHL career with 340 goals and 433 assists in 1,009 regular season games.

Reader's Guide

Christian's NHL career began one week after the 1980 Winter Olympics when he joined the Winnipeg Jets, who drafted him 40th overall in the 1979 NHL entry draft. He set the record for the fastest goal by a player in his first NHL game, scoring seven seconds into his first shift. He later played for the Chicago Blackhawks, among other teams.

Did You Know?

He led the Washington Capitals in assists in his first season with the team, recording 52 assists.
Christian played in the 1991 NHL All-Star Game and was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.