Torey Krug
Torey Krug | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() Krug with the Boston Bruins in 2016 | |||
Born |
Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S.[1] | April 12, 1991||
Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) | ||
Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) | ||
Position | Defense | ||
Shoots | Left | ||
NHL team Former teams |
St. Louis Blues Boston Bruins | ||
National team |
![]() | ||
NHL draft | Undrafted | ||
Playing career | 2012–present | ||
Website | toreykrug.com |
Torey Krug (/kruːɡ/ KROOG;[2] born April 12, 1991) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. Krug previously played for the Boston Bruins from 2012 to 2020.
Being undrafted, he played NCAA hockey at Michigan State University,[3] also playing for the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League (USHL),[4] winning the Clark Cup with the latter, the team's first-ever title.
In 2012, Krug was named the CCHA Player of the Year,[5] and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.[6]
Playing career
[edit]Amateur
[edit]As a young child, Krug played in the 2003 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Detroit Honeybaked minor ice hockey team.[7] He was hosted by the Avoine family in Québec City during the 10 days of the tournament.[8] He later played for the Belle Tire midget program in Michigan, and Krug skated in 59 regular season games for the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League (USHL), notching 47 points. Although he was undrafted into the USHL, Krug was extended an invitation by coach Jeff Blashill to try out for the Ice, eventually making the team.[9][10] Krug also skated in 13 Clark Cup playoff games with seven points before capturing the championship.[citation needed] He was a member of the USHL All-Rookie Team and set the Indiana Ice record for points in a season by a defenseman in 2008–09.[citation needed]
Krug arrived at Michigan State University in the fall of 2009, and was initially slotted as a fifth or sixth defenseman on the roster. During the 2009–10 season, Krug was voted to the CCHA's All-Rookie Team. After skating in all 38 games, he finished the season second on the team in rookie scoring and led all CCHA first-year defensemen in scoring. Krug quickly gained a reputation as one of the CCHA's most offensive performers,[11] and in advance of his sophomore season, was elected captain of the Spartans. As a sophomore, Krug was named to the First Team All-CCHA, and was voted the CCHA's Top Offensive Defenseman (he was the CCHA's top-scoring defenseman that year). In 2011–12, he was named to the All-CCHA Team for the second time, and was named a CCHA Player of the Year and Hobey Baker Award finalist. During the season, Krug was the top scoring defenseman in the CCHA, and shared the CCHA conference scoring title with Notre Dame's T. J. Tynan (29 points), becoming the first defenseman in the league to win a scoring title since Western Michigan's Wayne Gagner in 1986–87.[12]
As the result of his accomplishments with Michigan State, Krug was among collegiate hockey's most sought-after free agents when he signed with the Boston Bruins in 2012.[13]
Professional
[edit]Boston Bruins
[edit]On March 25, 2012, Krug was signed to an entry-level contract by the Boston Bruins,[14] making his NHL debut on April 3, 2012, against the Pittsburgh Penguins.[15] Appearing in two games with the Bruins, Krug finished with one assist and had an even plus-minus rating, averaging just over 17 minutes of ice time per game.[citation needed]
Krug spent the 2012–13 season with the Providence Bruins, where he was hampered by a sprained ankle until mid-January.[16] After being called up from Providence on an emergency basis, he scored his first NHL goal during his first Stanley Cup playoff game in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals against the New York Rangers,[17] becoming the first Bruins defenseman to score in his playoff debut since Glen Wesley in 1988. Krug followed this by scoring his second NHL goal during Game 2 of the same series,[18] becoming the fourth player in Bruins history to score goals in his first two playoff games.[19] At the conclusion of the series, he became the first rookie defenseman in League history to score four goals in his first five playoff games.[20] In the 2013 postseason, Krug impressed by scoring four goals and recording six assists.[citation needed]
Krug started the 2013–14 season on the Bruins' opening night roster, and scored his first regular season NHL goal on October 5, 2013, against Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings. On November 25, playing against the Pittsburgh Penguins, he became the first rookie defenseman in Bruins history to score an overtime goal, which also proved to be his first NHL game-winning goal.[citation needed] Krug was frequently mentioned during the 2013–14 season as a strong contender for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's rookie of the year.[21] He was named to the NHL's All Rookie Team and was the top scoring rookie defenseman in the league and was 4th in the league in the goals amongst rookies. His 14 goals and 26 assists helped the Bruins win the Presidents' Trophy, with the league's best record. Krug ended the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs with 10 points in 12 games.[22]
In the 2014–15 Boston Bruins season, Krug tallied 12 goals and 27 assists and recorded a +28 plus-minus, the best of his career. The following season, he produced 44 points on four goals and a career-high 40 assists.[22]
On June 30, 2016, he re-signed a four-year deal worth an AAV of $5.25M with the Bruins.[23] Krug ended the 2016–17 season ranking second among the team in assists and sixth in total points.[24] In late April, Krug underwent surgery to repair a right shoulder injury and was expected to need six months to recover.[24] Krug recovered enough to participate in the 2017 preseason but was injured in his second exhibition game, forcing him to miss the Bruins' season opener.[25]
While playing in the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, Krug injured his left ankle during Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning and was later ruled out for the rest of the series.[26] By the time of the pre-season schedule, just before the 2018–19 started on October 3 with a road game against the 2018 Stanley Cup-winning Washington Capitals, Krug suffered a different injury to his left ankle in the last 2018–19 pre-season game against the Philadelphia Flyers, and was expected to be out for a three-week period for recovery and re-evaluation.[27] On March 27, 2019, in a game against the New York Rangers, Krug became the all-time points leader by an American-born player in Boston Bruins history.[citation needed] On June 1, 2019, during game 3 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals against the St. Louis Blues, Krug became the first player in Bruins history to record four points in a Stanley Cup Finals game.[citation needed]
St. Louis Blues
[edit]On October 9, 2020, the opening day of free agency, Krug left the Bruins after nine seasons and signed a seven-year, $45.5 million contract with the St. Louis Blues.[28]
Personal life
[edit]Krug was born on April 12, 1991, in Livonia, Michigan, the son of Cheryl and Kyle Krug. Torey's brother, Adam, played college hockey at Adrian College[29] and brother Matt played at Robert Morris University and Wayne State University. Another brother, Zak, plays college volleyball at Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan.[30]
Krug is married to Melanie Krug. They have two daughters together.[31] Krug is a Christian.[32]
Torey admired the play of former Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk because "he's the most well-rounded player on the ice," and models his game after former teammate Zdeno Chára.[33] He calls his father his largest hockey influence.[34][35]
Krug graduated from Michigan State with a degree in Political Science in May 2017.[36] He originally enrolled within the school's Finance program, but switched majors to Pre-Law after claiming he didn't enjoy the content.[37] Krug was forced to switch programs again after signing with Boston due to the mandatory courses in Law not being available online, leading him towards Political Science.[38] He completed his remaining 38 credits online during the NHL off-season over the course of the next five years.[38][37]
Career statistics
[edit]Regular season and playoffs
[edit]Bold indicates led league
Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
2006–07 | Belle Tire 16U | T1EHL | 31 | 2 | 15 | 17 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2007–08 | Compuware 18U | T1EHL | 25 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2008–09 | Indiana Ice | USHL | 59 | 10 | 37 | 47 | 50 | 13 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 13 | ||
2009–10 | Michigan State University | CCHA | 38 | 3 | 18 | 21 | 67 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2010–11 | Michigan State University | CCHA | 38 | 11 | 17 | 28 | 59 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2011–12 | Michigan State University | CCHA | 38 | 12 | 22 | 34 | 51 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2011–12 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2012–13 | Providence Bruins | AHL | 63 | 13 | 32 | 45 | 37 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||
2012–13 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | ||
2013–14 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 79 | 14 | 26 | 40 | 28 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 6 | ||
2014–15 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 78 | 12 | 27 | 39 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2015–16 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 81 | 4 | 40 | 44 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2016–17 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 81 | 8 | 43 | 51 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2017–18 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 76 | 14 | 45 | 59 | 36 | 11 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 8 | ||
2018–19 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 64 | 6 | 47 | 53 | 33 | 24 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 10 | ||
2019–20 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 61 | 9 | 40 | 49 | 33 | 13 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 22 | ||
2020–21 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 51 | 2 | 30 | 32 | 25 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||
2021–22 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 64 | 9 | 34 | 43 | 48 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | ||
2022–23 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 63 | 7 | 25 | 32 | 49 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2023–24 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 77 | 4 | 35 | 39 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
NHL totals | 778 | 89 | 394 | 483 | 374 | 82 | 11 | 46 | 57 | 48 |
International
Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | United States | WC | ![]() |
10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | |
Senior totals | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
Awards, achievements and records
[edit]Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Representing ![]() | ||
Ice hockey | ||
World Championships | ||
![]() |
2015 Czech Republic |
Records
[edit]- First player in the Boston Bruins history to record four points in a Stanley Cup Finals game.[44]
References
[edit]- ^ "Krug, Torey".
- ^ 2018–19 National Hockey League Pronunciation Guide. Retrieved August 13, 2020
- ^ "Torey Krug Bio". Michigan State Official Athletic Site. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
- ^ Torey Krug | Indiana Ice Archived February 5, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "KRUG EARNS CCHA TOP HONORS". Michigan State. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
- ^ Hobey Baker Award Committee Announces the 2012 Top Ten Finalists | Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation Archived October 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
- ^ His 2003 host family
- ^ Fluto Shinzawa (November 15, 2015). "Torey Krug remembers new Wings coach giving him a break". Boston Globe. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
- ^ Dana Wakiji; Arthur J. Regner (November 21, 2018). "Notes: Blashill and Boston's Krug have strong connection". NHL.com. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
he also didn't get drafted in the USHL, and I was able to luckily get him to come to our tryout camp
- ^ Neil's Notebook: Krug's Leadership, Play Impressive – Michigan State Official Athletic Site
- ^ MSU hockey Spartans top Notre Dame, earn a bye, NCAA D1, College Hockey (United States), College/University Hockey, Hockey Forum – The Hockey Network
- ^ Torey Krug continues to bring the magic to Bruins’ defense corps – Sports – The Boston Globe
- ^ Michigan State Spartans | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
- ^ Torey Krug to make NHL debut – bruins blog – Boston Globe hockey news
- ^ BRUINS NOTEBOOK: Rookie Torey Krug benefited from mid-season break – Fall River, MA – The Herald News
- ^ Skillful performance by Torey Krug, Bruins – Touching All the Bases – Boston.com
- ^ Bruins Blueliner Krug Comes Through in Stanley Cup Playoff Debut | Bleacher Report
- ^ Shinzawa, Fluto (May 21, 2013). "Game 3 preview: Bruins at Rangers". boston.com. New York. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs News And Notes | Sports Talk Florida
- ^ "Ranking the 10 greatest rookie seasons in Bruins history". bleacherreport.com. August 6, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
- ^ a b "Torey Krug Stats and News". NHL.com. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ "Bruins Sign Defenseman Torey Krug To Four-Year Contract Worth $5.25 Million Annually". NHL.com. June 30, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ a b "Beleskey, Krejci and Krug Undergo Successful Surgeries". NHL.com. May 3, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ Russo, Eric (October 7, 2017). "Krug Returns to Practice as Full Participant". NHL.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ Rosen, Dan (May 5, 2018). "Krug out rest of series for Bruins, starting with Game 5 vs. Lightning". NHL.com. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
Torey Krug will not play for the Boston Bruins for the remainder of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Tampa Bay Lightning, starting with Game 5 at Amalie Arena on Sunday because of a left-ankle injury.
- ^ Benjamin, Amalie (October 1, 2018). "Krug out three weeks for Bruins because of ankle injury". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
Torey Krug will be out at least three weeks because of a left-ankle injury the Boston Bruins defenseman sustained Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers...Krug will wear a protective boot and be re-evaluated in three weeks...General manager Don Sweeny said Monday that Krug's latest injury is unrelated to his broken left ankle from Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Tampa Bay Lightning on May 4.
- ^ "Krug agrees to seven-year, $45.5 million contract with Blues". National Hockey League. October 9, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
- ^ Eliteprospects.com – Adam Krug
- ^ Krug content with role as Walleye enforcer – Toledo Blade
- ^ Loftus, Mike. "Bruins defenseman Torey Krug misses teammates, and certainty". Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- ^ Mercer, Kevin (October 21, 2020). "Defenseman Torey Krug grateful for Bruins teammates, fans as he joins St. Louis Blues". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- ^ Man of the Day 3/28: Torey Krug | Adventures in Pucking
- ^ Torey Krug Could Be a Perfect Fit for Bruins: Fan's Take – NHL – Yahoo! Sports
- ^ Fee, Gayle (July 8, 2013). "Krug picks up his ring". Boston Herald. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
- ^ Dolloff, Matt (May 5, 2017). "Torey Krug Officially Completes College Degree From Michigan State". Retrieved May 5, 2017.
- ^ a b Krug, Torey (December 17, 2015). "Working Towards Graduation While Playing in the NHL". NHL.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
- ^ a b Russo, Eric (May 5, 2017). "Krug Graduates from Michigan State". NHL.com. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ College notes: Ferris State hockey seniors enjoy All-CCHA honors after passing up NHL options – MLive.com
- ^ Hagelin, Merrill on All-CCHA Teams; Burlon Takes Honorable Mention – MGOBLUE.COM – University of Michigan Official Athletic Site
- ^ College Hockey News: Miami, Ferris State Lead CCHA Honors
- ^ NMU's Gron, Florek named All-CCHA : Sports : UpperMichigansSource.com Archived May 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Krug, Nill Among Major Award Winners at CCHA Awards Show – Michigan State Official Athletic Site
- ^ Srinivasan, Arun (June 2, 2019). "Krug becomes first Bruins player with 4 points in Stanley Cup Final game". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
- 1991 births
- American men's ice hockey defensemen
- Boston Bruins players
- Ice hockey players from Michigan
- Indiana Ice players
- Living people
- Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey players
- Michigan State University alumni
- Providence Bruins players
- St. Louis Blues players
- Sportspeople from Livonia, Michigan
- Ice hockey people from Wayne County, Michigan
- Undrafted National Hockey League players
- AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans
- 21st-century American sportsmen