Craig Kowalski

Craig Kowalski (born 15 January 1981, in Warren, Michigan) is an American professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL.

Playing career
Kowalski's Pro career begun on 25 June 2000, when he was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He was chosen in the eighth round by the Carolina Hurricanes as their seventh overall pick and 235th overall. More than four years after being drafted, on 6 August 2004, Kowalski signed a multi-year contract with the Hurricanes. In 2006, he won the Stanley Cup with the hurricanes. Although he did not qualify to have his name on the cup, he was included in the celebration after the last game and got his first Stanley Cup ring. In 2007, Kowalski was released from a Player Try Out Contract with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, and subsequently signed with the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL. During the 2007-2008 ECHL Season, he was named to the All-Star Team, and was chosen as the American Conference's starting Goaltender. Prior to the 2008-2009 ECHL Season, Kowalski was traded to the Phoenix RoadRunners of the ECHL, for Bryan Esner and signed on 22 July 2009 an contract with HC Valpellice. On 3 December 2009 he scored an empty net goal against Sportivi Ghiaccio Pontebba. On 8 July 2010 Kowalski was revealed as the new starting netminder for Nottingham Panthers in Great Britain's Elite Ice Hockey League