The city of Syracuse was bound and determined to make a real event of the AHL All-Star Game and began the festivities with a montage of Syracuse sports history. Canadian country singer Michelle Wright then did the honors for both national anthems and even knew all the words to both songs, which was fortunate since the scoreboard was displaying gobbledygook instead of the Star Spangled Banner lyrics.

But none of this was really what we were here for. Maybe the game wasn't what we were there for either, but rather the pre-game ceremony. Because 18 years ago this month, only an hour or so away from Syracuse, the 1980 USA Olympic Hockey Team was making some serious history as they defeated the Soviets. Those who watched the game remember a fan racing onto the ice and wrapping U.S. goalie Jim Craig in an American flag while Craig was searching the stands for his father. Those who watched probably thought Craig kept the flag. So did he.

Jim Craig by Tricia McMillan

"You know I always thought I had it until just recently." said Craig.

But he didn't. The fan who ran onto the ice was one Peter Cappuccilli Jr., a resident of Syracuse who went on to become director of the New York State Fair. After the 1980 celebration was over, the items found on the ice were collected and redistributed to their original owners, including the flag. Cappuccilli got the flag back that night, and wanted to give it to Craig. But he didn't know how to get in touch with Craig, until it was announced that Craig would be an honorary captain for the All-Star Game.

"Those hockey players gave every American the chance to be proud," Cappuccilli told the Syracuse Post-Standard. "He (Craig) is the person who deserves it. It's been more a part of his life than mine."

And so, the flag was finally given back to Craig on the ice prior to the game, this time to be draped around both Craig and his nine-year-old son, J.D. Craig gave Cappuccilli his warm-up jacket from the Olympics as a thank you for the gesture, which Craig finds priceless.

"It was nice to be able to know I have the one that was actually draped on me, it was just a wonderful feeling," smiled Craig. But he added that even the flag was a secondary consideration for him in Syracuse; Craig not only brought J.D., but his nephew, Craig Charron, was playing for PlanetUSA, and this trip was all about family.

"J.D. seems to be having a great time, so that means more to me than anything," said the happy father.

For J.D., who had two days to spend playing with his young cousin, skating with the PlanetUSA team, getting autographs, playing street hockey and being PlanetUSA's stickboy, standing with his father on the ice was the conclusion of one great trip.

"It's great to be able be out there with my dad," gushed J.D., before getting to the real point. "No other kid had an opportunity to be out there!"

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