Langenbrunner, a forward from Cloquet, Minnesota, was a two-time Stanley Cup winner and an Olympic silver medalist during a 16-season NHL career played almost entirely with the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils.
The Stars selected Langenbrunner in the second round (No. 35) of the 1993 NHL Draft after he scored 27 goals and 89 points in 27 games at Cloquet High School. Langenbrunner scored 33 and 42 goals in two seasons for Peterborough of the Ontario Hockey League before making his NHL debut with the Stars against the St. Louis Blues on April 9, 1995.
Langenbrunner, a forward from Cloquet, Minnesota, was a two-time Stanley Cup winner and an Olympic silver medalist during a 16-season NHL career played almost entirely with the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils.
The Stars selected Langenbrunner in the second round (No. 35) of the 1993 NHL Draft after he scored 27 goals and 89 points in 27 games at Cloquet High School. Langenbrunner scored 33 and 42 goals in two seasons for Peterborough of the Ontario Hockey League before making his NHL debut with the Stars against the St. Louis Blues on April 9, 1995.
He started 1995-96 with Dallas and scored his first NHL goal against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on Oct. 26, 1995 but wound up playing most of the season for Michigan of the International Hockey League. Langenbrunner made the Stars for good in 1996-97 and became a reliable depth scorer, helping Dallas win the Stanley Cup for the first time in Stars/Minnesota North Stars history in 1999.
The Stars got back to the Cup Final in 2000 but lost to the Devils in six games. On March 19, 2002, Langenbrunner was traded to the Devils, who gave him more offensive responsibilities. He responded by scoring 22 goals and 55 points in 2002-03, then led all Stanley Cup Playoff scorers with 11 goals (including four game-winners) and 18 points to help New Jersey win its first Stanley Cup championship in nine seasons, defeating the Mighty Ducks in a seven-game Cup Final.
Langenbrunner scored 23 goals and 60 points in 2006-07, his best NHL season to that point. He was named captain of the Devils in 2007-08, then set NHL career highs in 2008-09 with 29 goals and 69 points. He was named captain of the United States for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and helped the U.S. get to the gold medal game against Canada. It had to settle for a silver medal when Sidney Crosby scored in overtime.
The Devils traded Langenbrunner back to the Stars on Jan. 6, 2011. He became a free agent after the season and signed with the Blues on July 6. Langenbrunner missed most of the 2012-13 season with a hip injury that required surgery. He announced his retirement Jan. 15, 2014, finishing his NHL career with 663 points (243 goals, 420 assists) in 1,109 NHL games; 58 of the goals were game winners. He also scored 87 points (34 goals, 53 assists) in 146 playoff games.
After retiring, Langenbrunner worked in player development for the Boston Bruins.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- Traded to New Jersey by Dallas with Joe Nieuwendyk for Jason Arnott, Randy McKay and New Jersey's 1st round pick (later traded to Columbus, later traded to Buffalo, Buffalo selected Daniel Paille) in 2002 NHL Draft, March 19, 2002.
- Signed as a free agent by Ingolstadt (Germany), January 24, 2005.
- Traded to Dallas by New Jersey for Dallas's 3rd round pick (Blake Coleman) in 2011 NHL Draft and future considerations, January 6, 2011.
- Signed as a free agent by St. Louis, July 6, 2011.
- Officially announced his retirement, January 15, 2014.