John Ludvig

Last updated

John Ludvig
Born (2000-08-02) August 2, 2000 (age 24)
Liberec, Czech Republic
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Colorado Avalanche
Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL draft 69th overall, 2019
Florida Panthers
Playing career 2021–present

John Ludvig (born August 2, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Contents

Early life

Ludvig was born on August 2, 2000, in Liberec, Czech Republic, [1] to parents Jan and Charell. Ludvig was born into an athletic family; his father Jan played for the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League. His sister Katie plays collegiate volleyball. [1]

Playing career

Growing up in British Columbia, Ludvig played defense for most of his youth hockey career but played the position of goaltender for a short period of time. As a defenseman, he played Junior B hockey and went undrafted in the Western Hockey League's (WHL) bantam draft at the age of 14 due to his size. [2] As a result of his father's hockey background, Ludvig trained under his guidance in his backyard with weights, tires, and sledgehammers. [3] Due to his training and offensive growth, Ludvig was placed on the Portland Winterhawks protected list at the age of 16. [2]

Major junior

Leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Ludvig was ranked 48th overall North American defenseman by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. [4] He was eventually drafted in 69th overall by the Florida Panthers on June 22, 2019, but was among the last of his family to find out due to the numerous messages and phone calls spamming his phone. [5] Following the draft, he was invited to their Development Camp. [6] Upon returning to the Winterhawks for the 2019–20 season, Ludvig was named the Winterhawks' 44th captain in team history. [7] During his final season with the Winterhawks, Ludvig recorded 17 goals, fourth best among WHL defensemen, and 45 assists in 60 games [3] and was selected for the WHL's Western Conference First All-Star Team. [8] He was also credited by the Panthers for his physicality and penalty killing skills, along with success on the power play. [9] Ludvig concluded his major junior career by signing an entry-level contract with the Panthers on March 30, 2020. [3]

Professional

Following his major junior career, Ludvig joined the Florida Panthers Development Camp but was reassigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. [10] While sports were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ludvig and his sister worked out together around five days a week with a trainer, including cardio sessions on the weekends. [11] Upon returning the Crunch for the 2020–21 season, Ludvig led all team defencemen in scoring with two goals and eight points in 13 games. [12] He recorded his first professional goal, the game-winner, on March 1 against the Rochester Americans. [13] On July 17, 2023, he signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Florida Panthers. [14] Later in the year, on October 9, 2023, he was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins. [15] On October 24, Ludvig made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 4–1 loss against the Dallas Stars. [16] Remaining with Pittsburgh for the majority of the season, Ludvig was primarily used in a depth role as the team's seventh defenseman. On February 14, 2024, Ludvig scored his first NHL goal in a home loss against former draft club, the Florida Panthers. With the Penguins missing the post-season for the second year in a row, he finished with 3 goals and 5 points through 33 regular season appearances.

Approaching the 2024–25 season, Ludvig for the second consecutive season was placed on waivers during pre-season and left the Penguins after he was claimed by the Colorado Avalanche on October 5, 2024. [17]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2016–17 Kamloops Storm KIJHL 1751015671117820
2017–18 Portland Winterhawks WHL 51257431112321
2018–19 Portland WinterhawksWHL58513187730117
2019–20 Portland WinterhawksWHL6017456257—————
2020–21 Syracuse Crunch AHL 1326813—————
2021–22 Charlotte Checkers AHL3000030000
2022–23 Charlotte CheckersAHL54314177270224
2023–24 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 3332547—————
2023–24 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL40002—————
NHL totals3332547—————

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
WHL
Eastern Conference First All-Star Team 2020 [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Leopold</span> American ice hockey player (born 1980)

Jordan Douglas Leopold is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He was drafted in the second round, 44th overall, by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 1999, though never making an appearance with the team. In his NHL career, Leopold played for the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Smith (ice hockey)</span> Ice hockey player

Dan Smith is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played primarily in the American Hockey League (AHL), he also played 22 games in the National Hockey League with the Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers between 1998 and 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luca Sbisa</span> Swiss ice hockey player (born 1990)

Luca Sbisa is an Italian-born Swiss former professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently a development coach for the San Jose Sharks. He played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Islanders, Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators. Sbisa played major junior hockey in Canada with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL) before being selected by the Flyers in the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut that year before returning to Lethbridge.

The 1998–99 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the Penguins' 32nd season in the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Connauton</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1990)

Kevin Connauton is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Utah Hockey Club of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 83rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Connauton has also played for the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, Arizona Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Philadelphia Flyers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Pysyk</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1992)

Mark Alexander Terrance Pysyk is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for SaiPa in the Finnish Liiga. Pysyk was originally selected in the first round, 23rd overall, in the 2010 NHL entry draft by the Buffalo Sabres. He has also previously played for the Florida Panthers and the Dallas Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cameron Gaunce</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1990)

Cameron Gaunce is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently under contract with Fehérvár AV19 of the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL). Gaunce was selected by Colorado Avalanche in the second round, 50th overall, of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Dumba</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Mathew Dumba is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Dumba was selected with the seventh overall pick by the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the 2012 NHL entry draft, with whom he spent his first ten seasons. He has also played for the Arizona Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning. Dumba previously played junior with the Red Deer Rebels and briefly for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seth Jones</span> American ice hockey player (born 1994)

Jared Seth Jones is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected fourth overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. After two seasons playing for the United States National Team Development Program, Jones joined the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Portland Winterhawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrick Pouliot</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Derrick Pouliot is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Syracuse Crunch in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League. He has previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Vegas Golden Knights, Seattle Kraken, San Jose Sharks, and Dallas Stars. Pouliot was selected eighth overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Penguins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oliver Bjorkstrand</span> Danish ice hockey player (born 1995)

Oliver Bjorkstrand is a Danish professional ice hockey forward for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). Bjorkstrand was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third round, 89th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Bjorkstrand is the son of American hockey coach Todd and the brother of Patrick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis Domingue</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1992)

Louis Boileau-Domingue is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Johnston (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey coach (born 1957)

Mike Johnston is a Canadian ice hockey coach who currently serves as vice president and general manager of the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League. Johnston guided the Winterhawks to 5 WHL Finals appearances, including a championship in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caleb Jones (ice hockey)</span> American ice hockey player (born 1997)

Caleb Jay Jones is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 117th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Jones has previously played for the Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cody Glass</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1999)

Cody Glass, is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Glass was the first-ever draft selection in Vegas Golden Knights franchise history, after he was drafted sixth overall in the 2017 NHL entry draft, and has also played for the Nashville Predators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Graves (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Ryan Graves is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Graves was selected by the New York Rangers, 110th overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He has previously played for the Colorado Avalanche and New Jersey Devils.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joachim Blichfeld</span> Danish ice hockey player (born 1998)

Joachim Ninna Blichfeld is a Danish professional ice hockey forward for the Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round, 210th overall, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, and played 8 games with then during the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons.

Calen Gordon Addison is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League (AHL). He was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the second round, 53rd overall, of the in the 2018 NHL entry draft. He has previously played for the Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 Tampa Bay Lightning season</span> National Hockey League season

The 2022–23 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 31st season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on December 16, 1991. They entered this season as defending Eastern Conference champions. On April 1, 2023, the Lightning clinched a playoff spot after a win over the New York Islanders. However, their three-year run to the Stanley Cup Finals would come to an unfortunate end when they were eliminated by the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Tyson Kozak is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract as a prospect to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Sabres selected him in the seventh round, with the 193rd overall pick, of the 2021 NHL entry draft.

References

  1. 1 2 Hastings, Marty (December 10, 2019). "Home no fixed address for Ludvig siblings — Katie of TRU WolfPack, Johnny of Portland Winterhawks". Kamloops This Week . Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Danzer, Paul (April 2, 2020). "'Slow, chubby little kid' becomes another Winterhawk in line for NHL". Portland Tribune . Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 Critzer, Joshua (March 30, 2020). "FLORIDA PANTHERS SIGN WINTERHAWKS CAPTAIN "ROCKY" JOHN LUDVIG". DUBNetwork. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Ludvig Listed Among Top North American Skaters for NHL Draft". Portland Winterhawks. April 16, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  5. ↑ Critzer, Joshua (June 24, 2019). "JOHNNY LUDVIG: A FUTURE BRIGHT ENOUGH FOR SUNSCREEN AND SUNGLASSES". DUBNetwork. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Winterhawks Invited to NHL Development Camps". Portland Winterhawks. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Johnny Ludvig Named Winterhawks 2019-20 Captain". Portland Winterhawks. September 20, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  8. 1 2 Seitz, Earl (April 7, 2020). "WHL names first all-stars for 2019-20 season". CFJC-TV. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  9. ↑ Olive, Jameson (September 28, 2020). "2019 Draft Check-In: Knight Highlights Large Panthers Class". National Hockey League. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  10. ↑ Kramer, Lindsay (January 9, 2021). "Florida Panthers send first group of players to Syracuse Crunch". Syracuse. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  11. ↑ Klassen, Chad (July 2, 2020). "Ludvigs improving their games while waiting to return to their sports". CFJC-TV . Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  12. ↑ "STORM'S JOHN LUDVIG ENJOYING STRONG AHL SEASON". Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. April 17, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  13. ↑ "CRUNCH DEFEAT AMERKS, 4-3". Syracuse Crunch. March 1, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Florida Panthers sign defenseman John Ludvig to two-year contract". Daily Faceoff. July 17, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Penguins Claim John Ludvig from Florida; Their Players Clear". Pittsburgh Hockey Now. October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Oettinger makes 38 saves in Stars win against Penguins". NHL. October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Avalanche claim John Ludvig off waivers". Colorado Avalanche. October 5, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.