Craig Laughlin

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.

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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

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

Laughlin underwent cardiac surgery on February 4, 2025. Initial indications are that the procedure was successful.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs 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