Jan Ludvig (L) and his son, John Ludvig (Image Credit: HC Dynamo Pardubice)

By Victor Kaisar

Ludvig Heads to Europe

Kamloops hockey product John Ludvig signs with HC Dynamo Pardubice

Jul 26, 2025 | 4:14 PM

PARADUBICE, CZECHIA — Kamloops hockey product John Ludvig is heading back to his native Czechia.

The 24-year-old defenceman has signed a contract with HC Dynamo Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga and he’ll play hockey outside of North America for the first time in his career.

“I play a tough defensive game, I want to be a tough opponent and I want other teams to hate playing against me,” Ludvig, a native of Liberec, said in a translated news release.

The six-foot-one Ludvig played for the Colorado Avalanche organization in the 2024-25 season. He recorded two points in eight NHL games and had a goal and 12 points in 31 games with the Colorado Eagles in the AHL.

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A third round pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2019 NHL Draft, Ludvig made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins in October 2023.

Ludvig scored three goals and seven points in 41 career NHL games and he added six goals and 37 points in 105 career AHL regular season games. He also had two goals and six points in 19 AHL playoff games.

Prior to turning professional in 2020, Ludvig skated for three seasons with the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League and was teap captain in his final season.

“Typically, Johnny is a player that there are not many on the market. He can be extremely tough and assertive on the ice. At the same time, he is a hard-working guy with a good character,” Petr Sýkora, Dynamo’s sports director, said about the new signing.

“We believe that he will grow in performance at Dynamo and we will be successful together. I wish Johnny a comfortable adaptation and a successful future in Pardubice.”

Ludvig will be coached by his father, Jan, a former NHL player and a former head coach of the Kamloops Storm. The elder Ludvig is working as a skills coach for the HC Dynamo Pardubice A team.

His sister, Katie, played Canada West volleyball with the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack

John Ludvig (Image Credit: HC Dynamo Pardubice)