U.S. Olympic hero Jim Craig to auction memorabilia

The goaltender who helped Team USA pull off its “Miracle on Ice” and vanquish the Soviet hockey powerhouse in the 1980 Winter Olympics is cleaning house and auctioning off his gold medal, game jerseys and other many other items.

Price for the whole kit and caboodle from 58-year-old Jim Craig: $5.7 million.

The Lelands auction, announced Wednesday, begins Saturday. The collection went on display Wednesday at the Lelands.com booth at the National Sports Collectors Convention at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago and will remain there until Sunday.

Two of Craig’s 1980 teammates, Mark Pavelich and Mark Wells, already have sold their medals from the Lake Placid Games.

The Craig collection at Lelands.com includes photos of and an assessed value for each item. The sale is for the entire collection. No ordering a la carte.

Leading the way is the gold medal (valued at $1.5 million to $2 million), followed by the American flag ($1 million to $1.5 million) that was draped over Craig’s shoulders as he skated around the rink searching the stands for his father following the gold medal victory over Finland.

“The Jim Craig ‘Miracle on Ice’ Collection” also includes the only mask worn by Craig during the Games, and the hockey skates and equipment he used throughout the Olympics. Included is the stick he used in USA’s semifinal victory over the Soviets and then the final game vs. Finland.