Craig Ludwig

Craig Ludwig
Ludwig in 2011
Born	(1961-03-15) March 15, 1961 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 team	United States
NHL draft	61st overall, 1980 Montreal Canadiens
Playing career	1982–1999

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.

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. 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	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1975–76	Northland Pines High School	HS-WI		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	Northland Pines High School	HS-WI		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1977–78	Northland Pines High School	HS-WI		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1978–79	Northland Pines High School	HS-WI		—	—	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—
1979–80	University of North Dakota	WCHA		33	1	8	9	32		—	—	—	—	—
1980–81	University of North Dakota	WCHA		34	4	8	12	48		—	—	—	—	—
1981–82	University of North Dakota	WCHA		37	4	17	21	42		—	—	—	—	—
1982–83	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		80	0	25	25	59		3	0	0	0	2
1983–84	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		80	7	18	25	52		15	0	3	3	23
1984–85	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		72	5	14	19	90		12	0	2	2	6
1985–86	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		69	2	4	6	63		20	0	1	1	48
1986–87	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		75	4	12	16	105		17	2	3	5	30
1987–88	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		74	4	10	14	69		11	1	1	2	6
1988–89	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		74	3	13	16	73		21	0	2	2	24
1989–90	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		73	1	15	16	108		11	0	1	1	16
1990–91	New York Islanders	NHL		75	1	8	9	77		—	—	—	—	—
1991–92	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		73	2	9	11	54		7	0	1	1	19
1992–93	Minnesota North Stars	NHL		78	1	10	11	153		—	—	—	—	—
1993–94	Dallas Stars	NHL		84	1	13	14	123		9	0	3	3	8
1994–95	Dallas Stars	NHL		47	2	7	9	61		4	0	1	1	2
1995–96	Dallas Stars	NHL		65	1	2	3	70		—	—	—	—	—
1996–97	Dallas Stars	NHL		77	2	11	13	62		7	0	2	2	18
1997–98	Dallas Stars	NHL		80	0	7	7	131		17	0	1	1	22
1998–99	Dallas Stars	NHL		80	2	6	8	87		23	1	4	5	20
NHL totals				1,256	38	184	222	1,437		177	4	24	28	244

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1981	United States	WJC		5	0	0	0	12

Awards and honors

Award	Year
All-WCHA Second Team	1981–82
Stanley Cup	1986, 1999

See also

• List of NHL players with 1000 games played

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
• Profile at hockeydraftcentral.com
• Profile at Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame