Craig Ludwig is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 17 seasons. He was born on March 15, 1961, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and began his hockey career in the late 1970s.
Ludwig played for the University of North Dakota from 1980 to 1982 before being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Canadiens in the 1982-83 season and quickly established himself as a reliable defenseman.
Ludwig played for the Canadiens for six seasons, winning the Stanley Cup with the team in 1986. He was then traded to the New York Islanders, where he played for two seasons before being traded again to the Minnesota North Stars.
Ludwig played for the North Stars for six seasons, including their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1991. He then played for the Dallas Stars for four seasons, where he was a key member of the team that won the Stanley Cup in 1999.
Throughout his career, Ludwig was known for his physical play and defensive prowess. He was a hard-hitting defenseman who was not afraid to block shots or get into scrums in front of the net. He was also a strong penalty killer and was often used in late-game situations to protect leads.
Ludwig retired from the NHL in 1999 after playing in over 1,200 games and scoring 47 goals and 191 assists. He was known as a team player who always put the needs of the team ahead of his own personal statistics.
After retiring from hockey, Ludwig became a color commentator for the Dallas Stars radio broadcasts. He also worked as a youth hockey coach and was involved in various charitable organizations.
In 2014, Ludwig was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the sport. He remains a beloved figure in the hockey community and is remembered as one of the toughest and most reliable defensemen of his era.
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