Craig Ludwig

Last updated
Craig Ludwig
Craig Ludwig.png
Ludwig in 2011
Born (1961-03-15) March 15, 1961 (age 63)
Rhinelander, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Defense
Shot Left
Played for Montreal Canadiens
New York Islanders
Minnesota North Stars
Dallas Stars
National teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
NHL draft 61st overall, 1980
Montreal Canadiens
Playing career 19821999

Craig Lee Ludwig (born March 15, 1961) is an American former professional hockey player. He played as a defenceman in the National Hockey League from 1982 to 1999 and was renowned for his shot-blocking ability. Ludwig was the color analyst for the Dallas Stars television and radio broadcasts for two seasons from 2016 to 2018.

Contents

Playing career

Amateur

Ludwig played high school hockey at Northland Pines High School in Eagle River, Wisconsin from 1975–1979. He helped the Eagles to the semi-finals in 1978–1979. He played on the USA Hockey National Junior Team that toured Germany in 1979–80. Ludwig went on to attend the University of North Dakota from 1979–1982 as a walk on. He won two National Championships while playing for the Fighting Sioux, alongside other future NHL players James Patrick, Mark Taylor, Doug Smail, Dave Tippett, Rick Zombo, Phil Sykes, Troy Murray, and Jon Casey.

Professional

Ludwig was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 3rd round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, 61st overall. He won a Stanley Cup with the team in 1986. In 1990 he was traded to the New York Islanders for Gerald Diduck. After one season with the Isles, Ludwig signed as a free agent with the Minnesota North Stars.

After joining the North Stars in 1991, he moved with the team to Dallas in 1993 and finished his career in 1999 after helping the Dallas Stars win their first Stanley Cup. [1] Ludwig was an alternate captain for the Stars during his time with the team.

Personal

Ludwig was inducted into the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. After his retirement, he worked as an assistant coach for the Utah Grizzlies, Dallas Stars, and Texas Tornado. All three of his sons played hockey in college with his younger son, CJ, having played for Northern Michigan and older son Trevor for Providence College and Tyler for the University of Western Michigan. All three also went on to play professionally.

Ludwig assistant coaches in the Dallas Stars Elite hockey club and resides with wife, Kim, in Dallas and Eagle River, WI.

Ludwig currently hosts a podcast called Suds With Luds.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1975–76 Northland Pines High School HS-WI
1976–77Northland Pines High SchoolHS-WI
1977–78Northland Pines High SchoolHS-WI
1978–79Northland Pines High SchoolHS-WI
1979–80 University of North Dakota WCHA 3318932
1980–81 University of North DakotaWCHA34481248
1981–82 University of North DakotaWCHA374172142
1982–83 Montreal Canadiens NHL 80025255930002
1983–84 Montreal CanadiensNHL8071825521503323
1984–85 Montreal CanadiensNHL725141990120226
1985–86 Montreal CanadiensNHL69246632001148
1986–87 Montreal CanadiensNHL75412161051723530
1987–88 Montreal CanadiensNHL744101469111126
1988–89 Montreal CanadiensNHL7431316732102224
1989–90 Montreal CanadiensNHL73115161081101116
1990–91 New York Islanders NHL7518977
1991–92 Minnesota North Stars NHL73291154701119
1992–93 Minnesota North StarsNHL7811011153
1993–94 Dallas Stars NHL841131412390338
1994–95 Dallas StarsNHL472796140112
1995–96 Dallas StarsNHL6512370
1996–97 Dallas StarsNHL772111362702218
1997–98 Dallas StarsNHL800771311701122
1998–99 Dallas StarsNHL80268872314520
NHL totals1,256381842221,43717742428244

International

YearTeamEventGPGAPtsPIM
1981 United States WJC 500012

Awards and honors

AwardYear
All-WCHA Second Team 1981–82 [2]
Stanley Cup1986, 1999

See also

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References

  1. "Stars Defenseman Ludwig Retires". NHL.com. September 2, 1999. Archived from the original on January 19, 2000. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  2. "WCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.