Sep 26, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Boston Bruins left wing
Craig Cunningham(61) skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Last night the Providence Bruins announced that they had named their captain for the 2014-2015 hockey season. 24-year-old Craig Cunningham is now the new leader of Boston’s AHL affiliate, a spot that previously belonged to Mike Moore. Prior to Mike Moore, Trent Whitfield served as the team’s captain before heading overseas.
“I think I can play in the league, I think I can be a full-time NHL player,” says Craig. “A lot of it is about timing. Being in the right place at the right time and not getting discouraged. Stick with it and keep getting better.”
Cunningham, through 7 games this season has 3 goals and 5 points on the season following a brief stint with the big club in Boston. Cunningham made his first debut in Providence during the 2011-2012 season against the St. John’s Ice Caps where he recorded a team-high 4 shots on net. Since then, he has appeared in 233 regular season games and 24 playoff games, totaling 79 goals and 149 points collectively.
For two consecutive seasons Cunningham was able to reach the 25 goal mark, staying consistent and helping advance Providence into the playoffs.
More from Prospects
- Harrison, Toporowski shine in Prospects Challenge
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Report: Bruins reportedly interested in young Ottawa center
- This Bruins prospect has a chance to make the roster
- Bruins are better set up at this position than any other team
Cunningham exemplifies what it means to be a leader on the ice, but has a much deeper story behind the scenes that makes him who he is today. Prior to his semi-professional career, Cunningham worked hard on his own taking 700-800 shots a day against his garage and would attend public skate every Wednesday and Sunday nights to teach himself to get better.
After his father died in a car accident in 1996, Craig assumed responsibility for his family. His mother did everything she could to make sure that he could play hockey, putting nothing above giving him the chances she felt he deserved.
“When their Dad died I felt incredibly guilty for them,” said Craig’s mom to ESPN earlier this season. “We didn’t have a lot. I turned my house into a daycare to provide for them. It was financially scary. But, if I had to beg, borrow and steal to get him hockey opportunities, I did.”
Puck Prose
“We weren’t a well-off family, so we could not afford some of those fancy skating schools. I would take Craig public skating every Wednesday and Sunday at 5 p.m. In fact, up until Craig left home to play major junior he would go public skating by himself twice a week. Craig woke up every morning before school about 45 minutes and would go out and shoot 300-400 pucks. Then come home after school and shoot 300-400 more. Every single day, seven days a week.”
In 2005 Craig’s hard work paid off for him as he was drafted by the Vancouver Giants in the bantam draft, officially starting his major junior career in 2006. Prior to being drafted by the Bruins in 2012, Milan Lucic had some praise for the one-time Giant teammate.
“He’s a player who can score,” Lucic said. “He has a great shot and he always plays hard and gritty. He fits the Bruins work ethic and he is a great fit on our team. As times he reminds me of Rich Peverley.”
He has spent some time alongside some of Boston’s greats, but has yet to break into an otherwise stacked Bruins offensive lineup. However, his presence, talent and leadership in Providence is just the kind of confidence he and the team need. This season, Cunningham cracked the opening night roster, appearing in three games to start the Bruins season. He was unable to record any points during his time in Boston, but upped his NHL experience to 5 games total.
“I think I can play in the league, I think I can be a full-time NHL player,” says Craig. “A lot of it is about timing. Being in the right place at the right time and not getting discouraged. Stick with it and keep getting better.”