Solar Bears add leadership with Trevor Ludwig

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL's Toronto Marlies, have announced that the club has agreed to terms with veteran defenseman Trevor Ludwig for the 2016-17 season.

Ludwig joins the Solar Bears after serving as the captain of the Brabham Cup-winning Missouri Mavericks in 2015-16. Ludwig recorded 29 points (4g-25a) and 62 penalty minutes in 65 games for Missouri while leading the team to the ECHL's best regular-season record.

The 31-year-old brings championship success to the Solar Bears as well, as he was part of the Allen Americans' Kelly Cup-winning squad in 2014-15, and picked up back-to-back Ray Miron President's Cups in 2013 and 2014 while the Americans were in the Central Hockey League. He has also played in the Calder Cup Finals, as he was a member of the Texas Stars squad in 2009-10 that reached the final round of the AHL postseason before bowing out to the Hershey Bears.

In 430 career pro games spread across the AHL, ECHL and CHL, Ludwig has racked up 121 points (31g-90a) and 434 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning pro, Ludwig played collegiate hockey for Providence College from 2004-08. In 115 games with the Friars, the native of Rhineland, Wis. posted 15 points (2g-13a) and 107 penalty minutes.

Ludwig's hockey bloodlines run deep: his twin brother Tyler enjoyed a similarly successful career before retiring at the conclusion of the 2014-15 season, and Trevor played alongside younger brother C.J. last season in Missouri. Ludwig's father Craig played 1,256 games in the NHL and captured the Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1985-86 and Dallas in 1998-99, and currently serves as an analyst on Dallas Stars television broadcasts.

Ludwig was selected by the Dallas Stars in the sixth round (183rd overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.