Corey Crawford
The unflappable goaltender who backstopped the Chicago Blackhawks' modern dynasty with a clutch, no-frills style that delivered two Stanley Cups.
Born 1984 (age 42)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: December 31·Millennials
Biography
Corey Crawford's path to NHL stardom was one of quiet perseverance. Drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2003, the Montreal-born goalie spent years marinating in the minors, his progress steady if unspectacular. When he finally seized the starting job in 2010, he faced immense pressure to fill the net for a team built to win now. Crawford answered with a performance of remarkable composure, his technical, positionally sound game proving the perfect foundation for Chicago's high-flying roster. In the 2013 and 2015 playoffs, he was a wall when it mattered most, turning away critical shots to secure championships. Often overshadowed by his more famous teammates, Crawford's value was never in doubt within the locker room; his teammates knew 'Crow' was the last line of defense they could absolutely trust. His career, spent entirely with the Blackhawks, was cut short by health concerns, but his legacy as a cornerstone of a hockey dynasty is firmly cemented.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Corey was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Corey Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Corey's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Stanley Cup twice as the starting goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015.
- Shared the William M. Jennings Trophy for fewest goals allowed in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons.
- Played his entire 13-season NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks organization.
- Recorded 26 playoff wins during the Blackhawks' 2013 and 2015 championship runs.
Did You Know?
His nickname is 'Crow,' a shortening of his last name used by teammates and fans.
He was drafted 52nd overall in 2003, the same draft that produced Blackhawks core players Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.
He won the Canadian Hockey League's Memorial Cup with the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads in 2000.
He led all NHL goaltenders in wins during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.
“You try to treat every game the same, but obviously in the back of your mind you know what's at stake.”
