Jeff Christian
Jeffrey Christian | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 30, 1970 Burlington, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation(s) | Ice hockey forward, coach, consultant |
| Years active | 1987–2011 (player), 2015–2018 (coach) |
| Known for | Professional ice hockey player and coach |
Jeffrey Christian (born July 30, 1970) is a Canadian-American ex-professional ice hockey forward who was chosen 23rd overall by the New Jersey Devils. Throughout his career, he appeared in 18 NHL contests representing the Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Phoenix Coyotes. His professional tenure extended over twenty years across leagues in North America and Europe. Following his retirement from playing, Christian took on coaching roles with the Columbus Jr. Blue Jackets and held both assistant and head coaching positions for the Wheeling Nailers between 2015 and 2018.
Playing career
Originating from Burlington, Christian was drafted 23rd overall by New Jersey in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft and participated in six of their NHL training camps. He made two NHL appearances for the Devils during the 1991–92 campaign.
Christian's career included time in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Utica Devils and Albany River Rats. After spending four seasons within New Jersey’s system, he inked a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Over three seasons, he played 15 NHL games for Pittsburgh, tallying four points in the 1996–97 season. That same year, he had a standout performance in the IHL with the Cleveland Lumberjacks, amassing 40 goals and 40 assists across 66 games.
He then spent four years competing in Germany’s Deutsche Eishockey Liga, representing the Krefeld Pinguine, DEG Metro Stars, and Hannover Scorpions. Following that period, he played one season in the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League with the Sheffield Steelers.
Christian returned to North American ice in 2005, joining the Central Hockey League where he skated for both the Youngstown Steelhounds and Tulsa Oilers. Notably, he became the inaugural signing for CHL expansion club Missouri Mavericks ahead of their debut 2009–10 season, also taking on assistant coaching duties.
In 2010, Christian signed with the CHL’s Mississippi RiverKings near Memphis, Tennessee; this move coincided with his daughter receiving care at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. After being waived in February 2011, he was picked up by the Evansville IceMen, concluding his playing days by scoring a decisive shootout goal.
Christian is among an elite group of hockey professionals who have surpassed 1,400 games played (1,406), accumulated over 500 goals (574), registered more than 700 assists (792), and logged upwards of 3,300 penalty minutes (3,370).
Coaching and Consulting Career
Throughout his active playing years, Christian often fulfilled dual roles as player and assistant coach. In January 2016, he joined the coaching staff of the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL as an assistant coach. After two seasons leading as head coach, his contract was not extended following unsuccessful attempts to qualify for the Kelly Cup playoffs. Additionally, allegations emerged concerning inappropriate behavior toward female supporters.
Subsequently, Christian provided consulting services for Villach in Austria’s premier league (EBEL) and has since undertaken roles as a Hockey Consultant for various teams across North America and Europe.
Personal and philanthropic life
Christian is the son of Gord Christian, a former receiver for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and was raised in Hamilton, Ontario. He and his wife are parents to two daughters; tragically, their eldest died from Pediatric Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma in 2013 after a three-year illness.
The family has been highlighted in Sports Net Magazine for their dedication to the Team Ryan Charitable Foundation, which they established to honor their late daughter’s memory.
Awards and honors
- 1990-91: Top Rookie Scorer, Utica Devils (AHL)
- 1990-91: Utica Devils Rookie of the Year (AHL)
- 1994-95: Community Service Recognition, Cleveland Lumberjacks (IHL)
- 1996-97: Most Valuable Player, Cleveland Lumberjacks (IHL)
- 1998-99: John Cullen Award for Sportsmanship, Houston Aeros (IHL)
- 1998-99: Turner Cup Titleholder, Houston Aeros (IHL)
- 1999-00: Community Service Recognition, Cleveland Lumberjacks (IHL)
- 2005-06: Central Hockey League First Team All-Star
- 2005-06: Runner-up for Central Hockey League MVP
- 2005-06; 2006-07: Delivered game-winning goals in consecutive CHL All-Star Games; sticks archived in the Hockey Hall Of Fame
- 2006-07: Central Hockey League Leading Scorer
- 2006-07: Central Hockey League First-Team All Star and MVP
Christian captained his teams for 11 seasons and participated in five All-Star Games.
Career statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1987–88 | London Knights | OHL | 64 | 15 | 29 | 44 | 154 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 27 | ||
| 1988–89 | London Knights | OHL | 60 | 27 | 31 | 58 | 216 | 20 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 56 | ||
| 1989–90 | London Knights/Owen Sound Platers | OHL | 55 | 33 | 33 | 66 | 209 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 43 | ||
| 1990–91 | Utica Devils | AHL | 80 | 24 | 42 | 66 | 165 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Utica Devils/New Jersey Devils/Hamilton Canucks/Cincinnati Cyclones/Albany River Rats | AHL/IHL/NHL | Approx. 105 | Approx. 33 | Approx. 41 | Approx.74 | Approx.385 | Playoff appearances varied | ||||||
| 1994–95 to 1999–00 IHL seasons | Cleveland Lumberjacks/Houston Aeros/Las Vegas Thunder | IHL | Approx.280 | Approx.139 | Approx.152 | Approx.291 | Approx.770 | |||||||
| 2000–05 DEL and EIHL seasons | Krefeld Pinguine/DEG Metro Stars/Hannover Scorpions/Sheffield Steelers | DEL/EIHL | Approx.196 | Approx.71 | Approx.70 | Approx.141 | ||||||||
| 2005–11 CHL seasons | Youngstown Steelhounds/Tulsa Oilers/Missouri Mavericks/Mississippi RiverKings/Evansville IceMen | CHL | Approx.300 | Approx.167 | Approx.243 | Approx.410 | ||||||||
| NHL totals | 18 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||