Craig Ludwig

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 and is part of the DLLS Sports Stars podcast team.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs 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