Craig Laughlin

Craig Laughlin
Born	(1957-09-14) September 14, 1957 (age 67) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Right
Played for	Montreal Canadiens Washington Capitals Los Angeles Kings Toronto Maple Leafs EV Landshut
NHL draft	162nd overall, 1977 Montreal Canadiens
Playing career	1977–1990

Craig Alan Laughlin (born September 14, 1957) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right wing, who is the color analyst for the Washington Capitals on Monumental Sports Network. He played in the National Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, and Toronto Maple Leafs between 1981 and 1989.

Biography

Laughlin was born in Toronto, Ontario. ^[1] As a youth, he played in the 1970 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Toronto. ^[2]

Laughlin was drafted in 1977 by the Montreal Canadiens. He played for several years with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs of the American Hockey League, Montreal's minor league affiliate, before he made it onto the Canadiens' roster for part of the 1981–82 season. ^[1] In September 1982, Laughlin was traded to the Washington Capitals as part of a six-player blockbuster trade that sent him, Brian Engblom, Doug Jarvis and Rod Langway to Washington in exchange for Rick Green and Ryan Walter. ^{[3] [4]}

Laughlin got an opportunity to establish himself as a full-time player with the Capitals. His contributions helped guide the Capitals to their first playoff appearance in team history. Laughlin also served as a team ambassador during his tenure with the Capitals, often making appearances in the Washington, D.C., area to help grow the team's footprint in the region.

Laughlin was traded to the Los Angeles Kings on February 9, 1988, in exchange for Grant Ledyard. ^[5] He played the 1988–89 season, his final season in the NHL, for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Laughlin would play one season for EV Landshut of the German Hockey League before retiring from active play. In 549 NHL games, Laughlin scored 136 goals and had 205 assists. ^[1]

Laughlin has been the television color analyst for Capitals games since 1990, where he has paired with Joe Beninati since 1994. ^{[6] [7]} He also participates in many Capitals Alumni activities and is involved in charity work in the Washington, D.C., area.

Laughlin played collegiate hockey at Clarkson University; his uniform #22 is retired by the school. ^[8]

Laughlin and his wife Linda have two children, Courtney and Kyle. The family resides in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. ^[9]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1976–77	Clarkson University	NCAA		33	12	13	25	44		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Clarkson University	NCAA		30	17	31	48	56		—	—	—	—	—
1978–79	Clarkson University	NCAA		30	18	29	47	22		—	—	—	—	—
1979–80	Clarkson University	NCAA		34	18	30	48	38		—	—	—	—	—
1979–80	Nova Scotia Voyageurs	AHL		2	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
1980–81	Nova Scotia Voyageurs	AHL		46	32	29	61	15		6	0	1	1	6
1981–82	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		36	12	11	23	33		3	0	1	1	0
1981–82	Nova Scotia Voyageurs	AHL		26	14	15	29	16		—	—	—	—	—
1982–83	Washington Capitals	NHL		75	17	27	44	41		4	1	0	1	0
1983–84	Washington Capitals	NHL		80	20	32	52	69		8	4	2	6	6
1984–85	Washington Capitals	NHL		78	16	34	50	38		5	0	0	0	2
1985–86	Washington Capitals	NHL		75	30	45	75	43		9	1	2	3	10
1986–87	Washington Capitals	NHL		80	22	30	52	67		1	0	0	0	0
1987–88	Washington Capitals	NHL		40	5	5	10	26		—	—	—	—	—
1987–88	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		19	4	8	12	6		3	0	1	1	2
1988–89	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		66	10	13	23	41		—	—	—	—	—
1989–90	EV Landshut	Germany		35	22	11	33	80		18	10	37	47	10
NHL totals				549	136	205	341	364		33	6	6	12	20

References

1. "Craig Laughlin Hockey Stats and Profile". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
2. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
3. Fisher, Red (September 11, 1978). "Canadiens make blockbuster trade". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
4. Blumenstock, Kathy (September 11, 1982). "Capitals Trade Walter and Green to Canadiens". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
5. Fachet, Robert (February 10, 1988). "Capitals get Ledyard in Trade for Laughlin". The Washington Post.
6. "Craig Laughlin". NBC Sports Pressbox. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
7. "Joe Beninati, Craig Laughlin celebrate 25 years calling Caps". RSN. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
8. "Eight Inductees to Join Clarkson Athletic Hall of Fame this Fall". Clarkson University Athletics. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
9. Newton, Jonathan (March 18, 2016). "Craig Laughlin got in the broadcast booth a lifetime ago. Here's why he never left". The Washington Post.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database