Fourth Round (#97 Overall): Craig Cunningham
After waiting for 52 picks to get to their next selection, the Boston Bruins took Vancouver Giants right-winger Craig Cunningham. In his draft year, Cunningham scored 37 goals and 60 assists for 97 points in 72 games. Those are gaudy numbers for someone that fell to the fourth round. Eric Converse of The Hockey Writers said this about the young winger:
“He is dangerous in the offensive zone due to his gritty approach to the game that makes him seem bigger than his actual 5-10 180 pound frame.”
In the 2010-11 season, Cunningham stayed with the Giants in the WHL. He played 36 games there, with 10 goals and 35 assists for 45 points. However, he was traded after those games to the Portland Winterhawks. He finished off the year in Portland with 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points in 35 games. He added 7 goals and 14 assists for 21 points in 21 playoff games before falling short in the WHL finals to the Kootenay Ice.
More from History
- Obscure former Boston Bruins: Steven Kampfer
- Bruins release full “Historic 100” list ahead of season
- McAvoy, Lucic named to “Historic 100” list over the weekend
- Obscure former Boston Bruins: Zane McIntyre
- On this day in 1959: Tiny Thompson inducted into Hockey Hall of fame
In 2011-12, Cunningham shockingly made it to the Providence Bruins AHL squad right away. He performed at a good level too, putting up 20 goals and 16 assists for 36 points in 76 games. He did not play in the postseason that year, unfortunately. He did have quite the rookie campaign for Providence, however.
In 2012-13, Cunningham yet again played for Providence. He elevated his play and improved on his rookie numbers with 25 goals and 21 assists for 46 points in 75 games. This time around, the Providence Bruins made the postseason. There, he recorded 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points in 12 playoff games.
In 2013-14, Cunningham again started the season in Providence. Playing in 75 games, he recorded 25 goals and 22 assists for 47 points. He had a 2-game stint in Boston that year as well. He didn’t register a single point. He played in another 12 playoff games for Providence, recording 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points.
In 2014-15, Cunningham worked his way into the opening roster for the Boston Bruins. He struggled in the 32 NHL games he played, however, with 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points. He was sent back down to Providence, where he played 21 games with 5 goals and 10 assists for 15 points.
However, his NHL stint of 32 games with the Boston Bruins was split and the second time they tried placing Cunningham onto waivers for Providence, the Coyotes claimed him. He then played for the Coyotes NHL squad for 19 games, with a goal and 3 assists for 4 points.
In 2015-16, Cunningham started the year off with the Coyotes AHL affiliates at the time, Springfield Falcons. There he played 61 games with 22 goals and 24 assists for 46 points. He then was granted a 10-game stint with the Coyotes, where he registered just one assist.
In 2016-17, Cunningham played with the new Coyotes affiliates, the Tucson Roadrunners. He played 11 games with 4 goals and 9 assists for 13 points, showing his best AHL production in his career.
However, during the pre-game skate of the 12th game of the season, Cunningham collapsed. It turned out that Cunningham suffered a major heart attack on the ice that day and had his life saved by the medical staff at the arena. The heart attack led to the eventual amputation of his lower left leg, ending his ice hockey career.
Two years later, in 2018, Cunningham got back on the ice with his prosthetic leg. He now works as a scout within the Coyotes organization.