Dave Christian

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Lore & Background

Christian's journey began at Warroad High School, where he competed in hockey, football, baseball, and track. He later played for the North Dakota Fighting Sioux, reaching the 1979 national championship final before losing to the University of Minnesota. His professional path started one week after the Miracle on Ice when he joined the Winnipeg Jets, the team that drafted him 40th overall in the 1979 NHL entry draft. In his first NHL game, he scored a goal just seven seconds into his first shift, setting a record for the fastest goal by a player in their debut. After two seasons in Winnipeg where he scored 70 or more points each year following the Olympics, Christian moved to the Washington Capitals. There, he led the team in assists during his first season with 52 and added 29 goals. His career included stops with the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, and St. Louis Blues. With the Bruins, he made an appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1990, though they lost to the Edmonton Oilers in five games.

In Their Own Story

During his time with the Chicago Blackhawks, Christian continued a career defined by international success and NHL longevity. Before arriving in Chicago, he had already represented the United States at the 1981 Canada Cup and the 1981 Ice Hockey World Championships as an NHL rookie. His international resume expanded to include the 1984 Canada Cup, the 1989 Ice Hockey World Championships, and the 1991 Canada Cup. While in Chicago, he maintained his status as a key contributor on a team that saw him accumulate significant career totals. His time in the NHL culminated with him reaching 340 goals and 433 assists. In 1991, Christian played in the NHL All-Star Game, further cementing his standing among the league's top players before concluding his career in 1994.

Reader's Guide

Fans of Dave Christian should look to his unique path from amateur sports star at Warroad High School to Olympic gold medalist and NHL veteran. His professional start is a key moment: scoring seven seconds into his first shift for the Winnipeg Jets immediately after the Miracle on Ice. For those interested in his family legacy, note that his father Bill and uncle Roger won gold in 1960, while another uncle, Gordon, won silver in 1956. His nephew, Brock Nelson, was selected for the 2026 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team which won gold. Christian's post-career role included serving as head coach and general manager of the Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks from late 1997 through the 2000 season. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.

Did You Know?

• Christian scored a goal just seven seconds into his first shift in his first NHL game, setting a record for the fastest goal by a player in their debut.
• He led the Washington Capitals in assists during his first season there with 52 assists and added 29 goals.
• His father Bill and uncle Roger were members of the gold-medal winning 1960 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, while another uncle, Gordon, won silver in 1956.
• Christian made an appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Boston Bruins in 1990, losing to the Edmonton Oilers in five games.
• He was named head coach and general manager of the Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks near the end of the 1997–98 season, holding the positions through the 1999–2000 season.