One of the founding owners of the Cranbrook Bucks is going for gold at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Adam Cracknell will be setting aside his Bakersfield Condors gear for a few weeks in February to don the maple leaf for Team Canada at the upcoming Winter Games, the professional hockey player and part owner of the Bucks has made the cut for the Canadian Olympic men’s hockey team’s forward group. The Canadian Olympic men’s hockey roster was officially introduced on Tuesday, January 25.
Cracknell’s Cranbrook roots run deep. Born in Prince Albert Saskatchewan in 1985, he went on to excel in his junior hockey career for the WHL’s Kootenay ICE for four seasons between 2002-2006. He made the jump to the pros after being picked by the Calgary Flames in the 9th round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. His NHL tour of duty of 210 games has included stops in St. Louis, Vancouver, Edmonton, Dallas, New York and Anaheim.
The newly-minted Olympian is thanking everybody who helped launch his hockey journey from his playing days in Cranbrook. “I played four years there, and if I didn’t have the support of my billets and my family at the time, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” says Cracknell.
Cracknell says he has been receiving plenty of kind words and well wishes since news broke that he would be joining Team Canada in Beijing.
“Thank you to everyone in Cranbrook,” Cracknell says. “It’s not just representing the country and myself, it’s the town, the people who have helped me become me.”
The upcoming edition of the Winter Olympics won’t be Cracknell’s first time hitting the ice in Beijing, he spent the 2019-2020 season with the KHL’s Kunlun Red Star. In 59 games with the KHL’s Beijing-based hockey club, the right winger put up 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points.
More recently, the herd member has rejoined the Oilers organization. He’s spent the past two seasons with Edmonton’s AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors – the 36-year-old forward has 23 points through 28 games this season (9-14-23).
The Cranbrook Bucks wish Cracknell and Team Canada the best of luck in Beijing. The Bucks and their herd will be joining millions of hockey fans across the country in cheering on Canada’s quest for Olympic gold.
