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ShareIt’s not about the goals
By Arlene Jongbloets - 100 Mile House Free Press
Published: October 07, 2008 7:00 PM
Updated: October 08, 2008 7:41 AM
Justin Craig was 10 years old before he put on his first set of hockey gear. The sport turned out to be a pretty good fit and, by 14, Craig decided it was something he was going to pursue in earnest.
He played house and rep hockey with the 100 Mile club and, last year, at the age of 16, Craig moved to the Lower Mainland to play major midget league hockey with the Langley Chiefs.
The 2008/2009 season has delivered yet another step-up for the 17-year-old, with a place at center ice with the Jr. B Port Moody Panthers. The club is a member of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League.
At 6’1” and 195 lb., Craig is a big guy, but that’s not what gets him the attention on the ice and the interest from scouts, said his mom Sandy Craig.
“He’s noted as a play-maker, setting up goals. It’s being a team player that has gotten him to where he’s at,” she said.
Sandy said the credit really goes to his first hockey coach in 100 Mile, Joe Jmaeff, who instilled in him that it’s not about the goals — it’s about the assists.
He’s played by those words of wisdom and reaped the benefits. Now he has words of wisdom of his own to share, said Sandy.
“He wants to encourage kids in the community to believe that growing up and playing hockey in 100 Mile doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck there. If kids put their minds to it, they can do anything,” she said.
Barely into his first season of Junior B, Justin has already been approached by almost a half dozen American college team scouts, with offers of a place on their team and a full free ride for his education.
“Not bad for a kid from 100 Mile, is what he always says to me,” said Sandy.
Not bad at all.
