Craig Button
Encyclopedia
Craig J. Button is currently an ice hockey
broadcast analyst and former National Hockey League
(NHL) executive.
, Button entered the world of hockey at birth. His father, Jack Button, was an executive with the Rochester Americans
, and his mother, Bridget, was the secretary to long-time Toronto Maple Leafs
' General Manager and Head Coach and Hockey Hall of Fame
member, George "Punch" Imlach. Jack held executive positions at the American Hockey League
before embarking on an extensive career as an NHL executive. Jack was named Assistant General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins
in 1967 and became the franchise's second General Manager
during the 1973–74 and 1974–75 seasons. He was the Assistant General Manager of the Washington Capitals
from 1979 until his death in 1996. Craig's brother Tod was an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals and is currently the Director of Scouting with the Calgary Flames.
The Button family moved to Montreal
in 1975 when Jack was hired by NHL President Clarence Campbell
to institute and manage the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. Craig graduated from Riverdale High School in Pierrefonds, Quebec
in 1980 and obtained his Bachelor of Arts
in Economics
from Concordia University, Montreal, in 1987.
. He was the Director of Scouting for Dallas Stars
1992–98, Director of Player Personnel for Dallas Stars 1998–2000. During this time, Craig gained invaluable experience working for hockey legends, Bob Clarke
and Bob Gainey
. While with the Stars, the teams participated in three Stanley Cup Finals
and were recipients of the Presidents Trophy on two occasions. The list of players drafted during his tenure include Derian Hatcher
, Jere Lehtinen
, Jamie Langenbrunner
, Marty Turco
, Jarome Iginla
and Brenden Morrow
.
as the Vice President and General Manager of the Calgary Flames
in 2000. Button released Martin St. Louis, who would go on to win the Hart Trophy 4 seasons later. Button held that position until the conclusion of the 2002–03 NHL season, when his contract was not renewed and was replaced with Darryl Sutter
who Button had hired as Head Coach in December 2002. During the 2003-2004 NHL season the Flames made it to the Stanley Cup Finals
before losing in seven games to the Tampa Bay Lightning
. Craig is credited with building this team by acquiring many of the players instrumental in the Flames success, including Craig Conroy
, Martin Gelinas
and Jordan Leopold
. He was a guiding force for the Flames' primary development team Saint John Flames
of the American Hockey League
when they captured the Calder Cup
championship in 2001. After his departure from the Flames he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs
in 2004 as a scout.
He is currently an analyst on NHL on the Fly
on the NHL Network.
He also writes hockey articles for ESPN
and NHL.com.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
broadcast analyst and former National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) executive.
Early life and hockey family
Born in Rochester, New YorkRochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, Button entered the world of hockey at birth. His father, Jack Button, was an executive with the Rochester Americans
Rochester Americans
The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
, and his mother, Bridget, was the secretary to long-time Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
' General Manager and Head Coach and Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
member, George "Punch" Imlach. Jack held executive positions at the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
before embarking on an extensive career as an NHL executive. Jack was named Assistant General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
in 1967 and became the franchise's second General Manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
during the 1973–74 and 1974–75 seasons. He was the Assistant General Manager of the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
from 1979 until his death in 1996. Craig's brother Tod was an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals and is currently the Director of Scouting with the Calgary Flames.
The Button family moved to Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
in 1975 when Jack was hired by NHL President Clarence Campbell
Clarence Campbell
Clarence Sutherland Campbell OBE, QC was the third president of the National Hockey League from 1946 to 1977.-Early life and career:...
to institute and manage the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. Craig graduated from Riverdale High School in Pierrefonds, Quebec
Pierrefonds, Quebec
Pierrefonds was a city on the Island of Montreal. It ceased to exist on January 1, 2002. The city was located along the Rivière des Prairies at the western end of the island...
in 1980 and obtained his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
from Concordia University, Montreal, in 1987.
Early career with Minnesota North Stars and Dallas Stars
Craig began his NHL management career in 1988 with the Minnesota North StarsMinnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
. He was the Director of Scouting for Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
1992–98, Director of Player Personnel for Dallas Stars 1998–2000. During this time, Craig gained invaluable experience working for hockey legends, Bob Clarke
Bobby Clarke
Robert Earle Clarke, OC , better known as Bobby Clarke or, in later life, Bob Clarke, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played his entire National Hockey League career with the Philadelphia Flyers and is currently an executive with the team...
and Bob Gainey
Bob Gainey
Robert Michael "Le Capitaine" Gainey is the former executive vice president and general manager of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . He is also a former professional ice hockey player who played for the Canadiens from 1973 until 1989...
. While with the Stars, the teams participated in three Stanley Cup Finals
Stanley Cup Finals
The Stanley Cup Finals is the championship series to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, emblematic of the professional club championship of ice hockey. Although the Cup itself has existed since 1893, an annual championship series between professional teams was not established until 1913...
and were recipients of the Presidents Trophy on two occasions. The list of players drafted during his tenure include Derian Hatcher
Derian Hatcher
Derian Hatcher is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers...
, Jere Lehtinen
Jere Lehtinen
Jere Kalervo Lehtinen is a former Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He played as a right wing. He was drafted 88th overall in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota North Stars. Lehtinen handles defensive aspects of the game as well as offensive, hence he is a two-way forward for which...
, Jamie Langenbrunner
Jamie Langenbrunner
James Craig Langenbrunner is an American professional ice hockey player. He's an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League . He was the captain of the 2010 United States Olympic Team...
, Marty Turco
Marty Turco
Marty Turco is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has played professionally with the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. Because of his puckhandling prowess, Canadian hockey personality Don Cherry named Turco: "the smartest goalie in the...
, Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla
Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...
and Brenden Morrow
Brenden Morrow
Brenden Morrow is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . Morrow played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League for the Portland Winter Hawks. During his junior career, he helped Portland win the Memorial Cup during the...
.
Calgary Flames
He replaced Al CoatesAl Coates (ice hockey)
Al Coates is an executive in the National Hockey League who last served as the Director of Player Personnel for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Coates is a former General Manager of the Calgary Flames, a post he held from November, 1995 until the end of the 1999–2000 NHL season...
as the Vice President and General Manager of the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
in 2000. Button released Martin St. Louis, who would go on to win the Hart Trophy 4 seasons later. Button held that position until the conclusion of the 2002–03 NHL season, when his contract was not renewed and was replaced with Darryl Sutter
Darryl Sutter
Darryl John Sutter is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward and coach, and former general manager of the Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League...
who Button had hired as Head Coach in December 2002. During the 2003-2004 NHL season the Flames made it to the Stanley Cup Finals
Stanley Cup Finals
The Stanley Cup Finals is the championship series to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, emblematic of the professional club championship of ice hockey. Although the Cup itself has existed since 1893, an annual championship series between professional teams was not established until 1913...
before losing in seven games to the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
. Craig is credited with building this team by acquiring many of the players instrumental in the Flames success, including Craig Conroy
Craig Conroy
Craig Conroy is an American former professional ice hockey player and currently the Special Assistant to the General Manager of the Calgary Flames. A sixth round selection of the Montreal Canadiens at the 1990 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Conroy played 1,009 NHL games for the Canadiens, St...
, Martin Gelinas
Martin Gelinas
Martin Gélinas is a former professional ice hockey forward and the current director of player development with the Nashville Predators.-Playing career:Gelinas made a splash in 1987–88 with the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL with a 63-goal, 131-point campaign...
and Jordan Leopold
Jordan Leopold
Jordan Leopold is an American professional ice hockey defenseman, currently playing with the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
. He was a guiding force for the Flames' primary development team Saint John Flames
Saint John Flames
The Saint John Flames were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League from 1993 to 2003 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The Calgary Flames bought and relocated the Utica Devils, to be their AHL affiliate....
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
when they captured the Calder Cup
Calder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
championship in 2001. After his departure from the Flames he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in 2004 as a scout.
Personal life
A dual citizen of the United States and Canada.He is currently an analyst on NHL on the Fly
NHL on the Fly
NHL on the Fly is the flagship show on the NHL Network in Canada and the United States. It carries instant updates and extended highlights of every game in the NHL that night. The show also includes live "look-ins" to games for a few minutes at a time. After all the scheduled games for an evening...
on the NHL Network.
He also writes hockey articles for ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
and NHL.com.
Awards and achievements
- 1999 Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
Championship (DallasDallas StarsThe Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
)