BIRTHPLACE: Warroad, Minn.

BORN: May 12, 1959

TEAMS/ASSOCIATIONS: United States Olympic Team, Winnipeg Jets, Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks

David Christian grew up in a hockey loving family in Warroad, Minnesota.  The son of Hall of Famer, Bill Christian, a legendary American amateur hockey star who played with the 1960 gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team, Dave went on to star at the University of North Dakota, where he tallied 70 points in just 78 games in two years.  From there he went on to play a significant role with the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team, leading the team with eight assists.

The Winnipeg Jets then made Christian their second draft choice in 1979, 40th overall.  He stepped right into the NHL with the Jets late in the 1980 season.  He made his presence felt immediately, scoring seven seconds into his first shift.  He was named captain of the Jets at age 22 and went on to stardom from there.  While in Winnipeg during the 1981-82 season, he logged 76 points on 25 goals and 51 assists.  Traded to Washington after the 1983-84 season, Christian's best season was an 83-point effort in 1985-86.  He went on to put productive seasons with the Boston Bruins and the St. Louis Blues before ending his NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks.

He finished his 15 years in the NHL with 340 goals and 433 assists while playing in 1,009 games.  Only 151 players, and only 10 Americans have appeared in more than 1,000 games thus earning him the NHL's coveted Pinnacle Award in 1993.  Christian appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Boston Bruins in 1989-90 and in the 1991 All Star Game.  His professional days came to an end in 1995-96 after two seasons with the IHL's Minnesota Moose.  In addition to his Olympic experience, Christian represented the US at the Canada Cup tournament in 1981, 1984 and 1991.  He also played at the World Championships in 1981 and 1989.