Craig Rivet
A durable, hard-nosed NHL defenseman who wore the captain's 'C' for multiple teams over an 18-season career defined by resilience and leadership.
Born 1974 (age 52)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: September 13·Generation X
Biography
Craig Rivet carved out an impressive NHL career not with flashy stats, but with old-school grit, a heavy shot, and an unwavering work ethic. Drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1992, the defenseman from North Bay, Ontario, spent over a decade in Montreal, evolving from a depth player into a respected leader known for his physical, honest game. His value was proven when he became a sought-after asset at trade deadlines, moving to San Jose and later to Buffalo, where he was immediately named team captain—a rare honor for a mid-season acquisition. Rivet's journey concluded with over 900 NHL games, a testament to his durability and adaptability in a league that constantly changes. His post-playing career has kept him close to the game in developmental roles.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Craig was born in 1974, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Craig Was Born
The biggest hits of 1974
#1 Movie
The Towering Inferno
Best Picture
The Godfather Part II
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Craig's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1974Born
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1979Started school
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1987Became a teenager
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1990Could drive
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1992Could vote
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Turned 21
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2004Turned 30
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 40
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 50
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 52 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played 923 regular-season games in the NHL across 18 seasons with five different franchises.
- Served as team captain for both the Buffalo Sabres and the San Jose Sharks.
- Represented Canada at the 1994 World Junior Championships, winning a gold medal.
Did You Know?
He was traded twice near the NHL trade deadline, in 2007 (to San Jose) and 2011 (to Columbus).
He finished his professional playing career with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL.
After retiring, he worked as a player development coach for the Vegas Golden Knights.
“My job was to clear the front of the net and let the skill guys work.”
