Background
Steve Christoff grew up in Richfield, Minnesota and graduated from Richfield High School.
Steve Christoff grew up in Richfield, Minnesota and graduated from Richfield High School.
Before turning professional, Christoff attended the University of Minnesota where he played for the Minnesota Gophers for three seasons in 1976-1979.
Amateur career He led his school to a state runner-up his senior season and was one of the most highly recruited United States. hockey players in 1976. He led the team in scoring during his second year with 66 points (32 goals and 34 assists) and was named to the WCHA All-Star Second Team. During his third year, he led the team in scoring again with 77 points (38 goals and 39 assists).
He made his international debut for Team United States of America at the 1979 Ice Hockey World Championship tournament in Moscow.
Professional career Christoff was selected 24th overall in the 1978 National Hockey League Entry Draft by the Minnesota North Stars. He joined the North Stars for 20 games after the Olympics, scoring eight goals and 15 points.
The next year, he suited up for 56 games, netting 26 goals and 39 points and was one of the Stars best performers as Minnesota lost the 1981 finals to the New York Islanders. In 1981-1982, Christoff appeared in 69 games, scoring 26 goals and 55 points, a career high
Although he was an extremely popular figure in Minnesota, Christoff was traded to the Calgary Flames for the 1982-1983 season, but he was used in just 45 games, scoring nine goals and 17 points.
In 1983-1984, Christoff played his final season in the National Hockey League with the Los Angeles Kings, starting 58 games. Post hockey career Christoff is now an airline pilot for Minneapolis-based Endeavor Air since retiring from hockey. He was named one of the 50 greatest players in University of Minnesota hockey history as part of "Legends on Ice" tribute in 2001.
In the 1981 television movie about the gold medal-winning hockey team entitled Miracle on Ice, Christoff"s character is played by Rick Rockwell, but is not listed in the film"s credits.
The model for the Hobey Baker award trophy was Steve Christoff, who played for Richfield Minnesota High School, the University of Minnesota, the 1980 United States. Olympic hockey team and in the National Hockey League. Scott Johnson portrayed Christoff in the 2004 Disney film Miracle.
As a member of the Richfield High School hockey team, he earned team Most Valuable Player his junior and senior year, and was selected to the Minnesota High School All-State First Team and the United States. High School All-American Team during his senior year in 1975-1976. He also participated in the 1981 Canada Cup tournament as a member of Team United States of America.