Brad Lukowich, shown above with the San Jose Sharks in 2008, signed a 1-year deal with Dallas on Friday. (Photo Credit: Dinur)
As I promised last night, here is some more on the rumored signing of Brad Lukowich for the Stars. Dallas has signed the veteran defenseman to a one-year contract for the upcoming season. The contract is two-way, so there’s a good chance he’ll see time in the AHL with the Texas Stars. He played with Texas last season for 37 games, on loan from Vancouver, and was a great veteran presence both on the ice and in the locker room. I like this signing from that aspect alone. But, the nice upside is he can be a solid 6th or 7th defenseman on the NHL squad, as well.
In addition, the Dallas Stars announced they have also signed defensemen Maxime Fortunus and Trevor Ludwig. Fortunus is getting a two-year deal, while Ludwig was signed to a one-year contract. Both are two-way contracts.
Here is the press release:
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Frisco, Tex. – The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has agreed to terms with defenseman Maxime Fortunus on a two-year, two-way contract through the 2011-12 season and defensemen Trevor Ludwig and Brad Lukowich each to one-year, two-way contracts through the 2010-11 season.
Fortunus, 26, made his NHL debut with Dallas last season, recording four penalty minutes in eight games. He spent the majority of the season with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL), skating in 72 games and recording 23 points (11g, 12a). The 6-1, 198-pound defenseman helped Texas reach the Calder Cup Finals in the club’s inaugural season in the AHL, playing in 24 games and tallying nine points (2g, 7a). The La Prairie, Quebec, native was originally signed as a free agent by Dallas on July 3, 2008.
Ludwig, 25, split time last season with the Texas Stars and the Idaho Steelheads of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). He finished the season with Texas, collecting eight points (3g, 5a) and 62 penalty minutes in 47 games. The 6-0, 205-pound defenseman also appeared in 19 playoff games for Texas, recording one assist and 18 penalty minutes. The Rhinelander, WI native was Dallas’ sixth round selection (283rd overall) at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Lukowich, 33, has played 653 career NHL games and helped both Dallas (1999) and Tampa Bay (2004) win the Stanley Cup. Over his NHL career he has accrued 113 points (23g, 90a) and 369 penalty minutes. Lukowich has dressed in 71 NHL playoff games notching six points (1g, 5a) and 22 penalty minutes.
The 6-1, 200-pound defenseman played 224 games for the Dallas Stars from 1997-2002. Last season he split time with Vancouver and the Texas Stars, skating in 13 games for the Canucks, collecting two points (1g, 1a) and four penalty minutes. The Cranbrook, British Columbia, native appeared in 29 games with Texas, tallying 18 points (3g, 15a) and 10 penalty minutes.
