Markus Lauridsen

Markus Lauridsen
Born February 28, 1991
Gentofte, DEN
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
NHL team Colorado Avalanche
National team  Denmark
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2012–present

Markus Lauridsen (born February 28, 1991) is a Danish professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays under contract as a prospect for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is the younger brother to Oliver Lauridsen of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Playing career

Lauridsen originally played in his native Denmark with hometown lower division club IC Gentofte, before moving to join the Swedish youth team of Linköping HC. After one season in the J20 SuperElit in 2008–09, and with NHL aspirations, Lauridsen moved to North America to participate in a junior career in the United States Hockey League with the Green Bay Gamblers. Undrafted, Lauridsen was an overage player in his second season with the Gamblers in 2011–12, posting 30 points in in 58 games.

On the back of helping Green Bay capture the Clark Cup Championship, Lauridsen accepted an invite to join the Colorado Avalanche 2012 training camp on August 22, 2012.[1] With the NHL lockout cancelling Colorado's training camp, Lauridsen was assigned to participate in the training camp of Avalanche AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters.[2] Signed to an AHL contract with the Monsters, Lauridsen was then re-assigned to begin his professional career in the 2012–13 season, with inaugural Central Hockey League affiliate, the Denver Cutthroats.[3]

Lauridsen scored his first professional goal in his first game at the Cutthroats season opener on October 19, 2012.[4] He posted 15 points in leading the Cutthroats defense before he received a second recall to remain with the Lake Erie Monsters, finishing with 12 assists in 36 games. Towards the completion of his first professional year, Lauridsen was signed to a two-year entry level contract with the Avalanche.[5]

International play

Lauridsen has been an established member of the Danish junior team, competing in various World U18 Championships and World Junior Championships. In the 2010 Championship, Lauridsen was named as the Division I Best Defenseman for the tournament and repeated his performance the following 2011 Championship to lead all defenseman in points.[6]

After the completion of his first professional season, Lauridsen was named to the Danish squad to make his senior debut at the 2013 World Championships in Sweden.[7] He played his first full international in an opening game defeat to Canada on May 4, 2013.[8] Playing alongside brother Oliver, he appeared in every game for Denmark to finish with 1 assist in 7 games to help avoid relegation and finish in 12th place.[9]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10 Linköping HC J20 37 0 3 3 12 6 0 0 0 2
2010–11 Green Bay Gamblers USHL 44 5 5 10 16 11 0 4 4 0
2011–12 Green Bay Gamblers USHL 58 6 24 30 32 11 3 1 4 8
2012–13 Denver Cutthroats CHL 30 6 9 15 14 — — — — —
2012–13 Lake Erie Monsters AHL 36 0 12 12 16 — — — — —
2013–14 Lake Erie Monsters AHL 39 3 9 12 14 — — — — —
2014–15 Lake Erie Monsters AHL 62 5 11 16 22 — — — — —
AHL totals 137 8 32 40 52 — — — — —

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2008 Denmark WJC18 10th 6 0 1 1 8
2009 Denmark WJC18 D1 14th 5 0 0 0 2
2010 Denmark WJC D1 13th 5 0 3 3 4
2011 Denmark WJC D1 12th 5 1 6 7 2
2013 Denmark WC 12th 7 0 1 1 4
2014 Denmark WC 13th 6 0 0 0 4
Junior totals 21 1 10 11 16
Senior totals 13 0 1 1 8

References

  1. ↑ "Danish D-man gets try-out for Avs camp". Eurolanche.com. 2012-08-22. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  2. ↑ "2012-13 Training camp roster announced". Lake Erie Monsters. 2012-09-28. Retrieved 2012-09-28.
  3. ↑ "Cutthroats announce opening night roster". Denver Cutthroats. 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2012-10-18.
  4. ↑ "Cutthroats top Missouri 4-3 in overtime". Denver Cutthroats. 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  5. ↑ "Cutthroats are CHL's top development club for 2012-13". Denver Cutthroats. 2013-04-03. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  6. ↑ "2010 World Junior Championship stats". Eliteprospects.com. 2013-04-05. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  7. ↑ "Danish squad for 2013 Championships" (in Danish). ishockey.dk. 2013-05-03. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
  8. ↑ "Canada off to winning start". International Ice Hockey Federation. 2013-05-04. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  9. ↑ "Denmark's Dynamic Duo". International Ice Hockey Federation. 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-08.

External links