![Kamloops native John Ludvig to make NHL debut against Dallas Stars](https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/1605/files/2023/10/ludvig-debut-pens.jpg)
Photo via Pittsburgh Penguins
Kamloops native John Ludvig will make his NHL debut tonight.
The 23-year-old defenceman will suit up for the Pittsburgh Penguins when they host the Dallas Stars at the PPG Paints Arena.
“I think he’s a steady, solid, defending defenseman,” Penguins Head Coach Mike Sullivan said of Ludvig. “I think he’s going to bring us some grit in the battle areas.”
“I think he’s strong at the net front. He defends well, he skates well, he has a good stick. I just think he’s just going to bring that element to our overall game.”
The Penguins claimed Ludvig off of waivers from the Florida Panthers earlier this month. He’s expected to play on Pittsburgh’s third defensive pairing tonight alongside Milton, MA native Ryan Shea, who made his debut on Saturday.
“It gets easier every day, just watching a lot of video,” Ludvig said of his time as a Penguin, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “It’s a completely different system than what I’m used to. But yeah, just getting your reps in practice every day, it’s been helping a lot.”
Welcome to the NHL, John Ludvig!
pic.twitter.com/VUQ6OyGBrZ
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 24, 2023
Ludvig spent one season with the KIJHL’s Kamloops Storm as a 16-year-old, before a three season stint with the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League.
Since turning pro in 2020, Ludvig has played parts of three seasons in the American Hockey League with the Charlotte Checkers and the Syracuse Crunch.
He had three goals and 14 assists in 54 games with the Checkers last season.
Kamloops native making NHL debut. Spent a year with the Kamloops Storm before going onto the WHL in Portland. Congrats to Johnny Ludvig. https://t.co/vaZMBPIIwh
— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) October 24, 2023