107 Tim Cranston

Tim Cranston wrote his name into the British hockey record book at 57.16 on 31 March 1993 as he broke clear to slam the puck, from 25 feet over the outstretched catcher of the Dutch netminder. His third game winning goal in as many games ensured Great Britain’s promotion to Pool A of the World Championships for the first time in 33 years. Ironically the left-winger was without a club, having been released by Durham Wasps prior to the domestic play-offs. He donned the GB strip in a further three World Championships plus two Olympic qualifying tournaments

Canadian born Cranston first came to Britain in early 1989 to join Fife Flyers from German 2nd division side Duisburg. Moving to Cleveland that autumn his 163 points helped Bombers gain promotion to the BL Premier Division. Tim won Division 1 All-Star recognition and the next winter an Autumn Trophy medal.

It was with Durham, on his inaugural visit to Wembley, that he gained his first of three League and four Play-off championship medals. Ambitious Sheffield stepped in in the summer of 1993, which begin a five season love affair between Steelers’ fans and Cranston, whom they soon dubbed ‘Turbo Tim’. In his first winter he led his new club on points with 101 in the 44 game Premier Division, with Sheffield finalists in the play-offs at Wembley, in which he was named ‘Man-of-the Match’. Next campaign his game winning goal at Wembley, another ‘Man-of-the Match’ performance, clinched the first of three consecutive play-off winners medals. Tim’s 41 goals had already helped Steelers to the British League Championship. Twelve months later a B&H Cup winner’s medal made it a trio for 1995/96.

Now well immersed in sports law, he moved to Manchester in autumn 1998 for work experience with International Sports Management. In this, his final winter of British hockey he signed for Edinburgh to play in about half of Capitals’ British National League schedule. That February ‘Turbo Tim’ was at a ceremony at Sheffield Arena as his no. 4 shirt was retired.

Tim Cranston was born on 13 December 1962 at Halifax, Novia Scotia, Canada. His earliest memory of hockey is an injury at the age of six requiring two stitches to a lip. After five years in major junior hockey he spent a year with the Dalhousie University Tigers Moving to Europe in 1984 to join Groningen in Holland was followed by spells in Switzerland and Austria.

He is now back home in Canada pursuing a career a hockey agent and sports attorney.

Martin C. Harris | April 2010