Craig Laughlin
President, Founder, and C.E.O.
Head Instructor
An expert in the field of player development, Craig has dedicated his life to the game of hockey. A former NHL player with more than 10 years of professional playing experience, Craig played in over 500 NHL games scoring over 300 points with the Montreal Canadians, Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs. Craig was awarded many honors during his NHL career, including the NHL “Player of the Week”, and the “Washington Capitals Player of the Month”. In addition to the NHL, Craig played one year in Germany’s elite “Erste Bundes League” before retiring in 1991.
A Native of Toronto Canada, Craig played youth hockey for the MTHL since the age of four. At age 18, Craig played Junior “A” for the Wexford Raiders where in 1976, he was named to the Junior A All-Star Team. Craig went on to become a four-year varsity letterman for the ECAC Division I Clarkson University Golden Knights where he played from 1976 to 1980. Among his many collegiate honors,Craig finished his Senior season second on Clarkson’s all-time scoring list and remains there today. Following his Senior season, he was selected to the 1980 Collegiate All-Star Team. Then, in 1988, Craig was further honored by the University with the retirement of his Jersey — Number “22”.
Craig was Drafted to the NHL in 1977 by the Montreal Canadians, and began his professional career following graduation in 1980. Craig’s professional career in hockey continued following his NHL retirement, as the lead Analyst for televised National Hockey League Washington Capitals games since 1991 as well as NHL analyst for the Stanley Cup playoff on Westwood One Radio.
In addition to his many other hockey endeavors, Craig was part owner of the ECHL Richmond Renegades where he served as Presidentand Director of Hockey Operations. During his tenure there, he brought his team to the league “Riley Cup Championship” and was honored as the East Coast Hockey League’s Executive of the Year. Among his duties as Director of Hockey for the Renegades, Craig was responsible for recruiting, signing and developing players, and he even found himself behind the bench as coach for several games.
Craig has been involved with player development for over 30 years teaching and coaching, as well as developing several of his own successful hockey schools. Craig’s school, the very successful Prostart Hockey for Skate Nation, operated in six rinks throughout the Maryland and Virginia area, and taught thousands of kids how to play the game of hockey during the 1990’s. He also began the Oakville Hockey School outside of Toronto Canada, and taught many other schools, including the Harris Keon School, the Washington Capitals School, the Mennen (NJ) School, andothers.
Along with hockey schools, Craig has coached youth hockey for over 20 years at all levels from “B” to “AAA.” During his tenure, Craig served as head coach for several WashingtonLittle Capitals Tier I AAA teams during which time he took both the Bantam Major and Midget Major teams to USA Hockey National Tournament in 2000 and 2001 respectively. Other coaching experience includes the USA Hockey Southeast Team and the Chicago Showcase Southeast Team and the Washington Lady Capitals Tier I AAA U 16 and U 19 National bound teams where he served as the Director of Hockey.
Craig holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Economics from Clarkson University.