Craig Ludwig
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| Position | Defence |
| Height Weight |
6 ft .03 in (1.83 m) 210 lb (95 kg/14 st 0 lb) |
| Pro clubs | Montreal Canadiens New York Islanders Minnesota North Stars Dallas Stars |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Born | March 15, 1961 , Rhinelander, WI, USA |
| Pro career | 1982 – 1999 |
Craig Lee Ludwig (born March 15, 1961 in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, U.S.) is a former professional hockey player. He played defense in the National Hockey League from 1983-1999 and was renowned for his shot-blocking ability.
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[edit] High school and college
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'ers Mark Taylor, Doug Smail, Dave Tippett, Rick Zombo, Phil Sykes, Troy Murray and Jon Casey.
[edit] The NHL
Ludwig was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 6th round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, 51st 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 signing with the Minnesota North Stars.
[edit] Minnesota/Dallas Years
Ludwig's years in Minnesota and Dallas are widely considered his best. He joined the Minnesota North Stars in 1991 and 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 in Dallas.
Ludwig was well known for his shot-blocking ability, aided by the extra-wide shinpads that he designed and constructed himself.
Whilst playing for the Stars during the 1997–98 season, Ludwig instigated a brawl during a game at home versus the Anaheim Mighty Ducks by throwing an elbow at Ducks' leading scorer, Teemu Selanne. Already flustered with a 5–1 deficit and having recently been criticized by the press for not defending captain Paul Kariya weeks earlier in a similar situation, the Ducks made clear that they were taking exception to what the team viewed as a cheap shot (Ludwig later defended his actions, claiming that he was merely "trying to finish" the check, also adding that he admits hitting rather aggressively). As Selanne lay pretending to be unconscious in the spot where he was hit along the boards, Ludwig immediately entered fisticuffs with several Duck players attempting to get at him. The result would be many PIM (penalty in minutes), a couple of game suspensions, and in the brawl, Darryl Sydor was knocked unconscious by the Ducks' Brent Severyn.
[edit] Personal
Ludwig was inducted into the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. After his retirement, he has worked as an assistant coach for the Utah Grizzlies and Dallas Stars. Ludwig currently is the assistant coach for the Junior A Texas Tornado hockey team. He has twin sons, Tyler (the cute one) and Trevor (the one good at hockey).
[edit] Career Statistics
Regular Season
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM
1979-80 U. of North Dakota NCAA 33 1 8 9 32
1980-81 U. of North Dakota NCAA 34 4 8 12 48
1981-82 U. of North Dakota NCAA 47 5 26 31 70
1982-83 Montreal Canadiens NHL 80 0 25 25 59
1983-84 Montreal Canadiens NHL 80 7 18 25 52
1984-85 Montreal Canadiens NHL 72 5 14 19 90
1985-86 Montreal Canadiens NHL 69 2 4 6 63
1986-87 Montreal Canadiens NHL 75 4 12 16 105
1987-88 Montreal Canadiens NHL 74 4 10 14 69
1988-89 Montreal Canadiens NHL 74 3 13 16 73
1989-90 Montreal Canadiens NHL 73 1 15 16 108
1990-91 New York Islanders NHL 75 1 8 9 77
1991-92 Minnesota North Stars NHL 73 2 9 11 54
1992-93 Minnesota North Stars NHL 78 1 10 11 153
1993-94 Dallas Stars NHL 84 1 13 14 123
1994-95 Dallas Stars NHL 47 2 7 9 61
1995-96 Dallas Stars NHL 65 1 2 3 70
1996-97 Dallas Stars NHL 77 2 11 13 62
1997-98 Dallas Stars NHL 80 0 7 7 131
1998-99 Dallas Stars NHL 80 2 6 8 87
NHL Totals 1256 38 184 222 1437
