#45 - A Tribute to Mike Christie, Tough D for the Seals, Rockies, Barons and Canucks

Episode 45 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast is a tribute to 7-year NHL pro Mike Christie, who passed away on July 11, 2019.

Born in Big Spring, Texas, and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Mike was the first native Texan to play in the NHL although it was strictly a technicality as his father was a Canadian citizen working for an American oil company and Mike grew up in Canada.

Before turning pro , Mike played for the University of Denver, becoming a first team all-American in 1971 as well being chosen to the US amateur national team at the 1972 Ice Hockey World Championship.

Mike then played two seasons with the Dallas Blackhawks (CHL), before signing with NHL's California Golden Seals in 1974, where he played until the franchise moved to Cleveland in 1977, becoming the Cleveland Barons. Mike was captain of the NHL's Colorado Rockies hockey team in the late 1970s, and his NHL career ended with the Vancouver Canucks in 1981.

He also represented the United States in the inaugural 1976 Canada Cup tournament.

Mike settled in Colorado after his hockey career ended, and started a second career as a sales representative that allowed him to enjoy his other athletic passion - golf. He represented several well-known brands, including Callaway and Top-Flite, before retiring in 2010.

Mike died of kidney disease on July 11, 2019. He was married to his wife of 47 years, Molly (née Hamill), and had two daughters, Lisa and Colleen, a son Dan, and four grandchildren. [

In this episode we hear tributes from four of Mike’s teammates: former NHLers Mike Lampman, George Pesut, Dave Gardner and Paul Gardner.