Torey Krug ( ;2018–19 National Hockey League Pronunciation Guide. Retrieved August 13, 2020 born April 12, 1991) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman under contract with the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). Krug previously played for the Boston Bruins from 2012 to 2020. He has not played an NHL game since 2024 due to ankle issues.
Being undrafted, he played NCAA hockey at Michigan State University, also playing for the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League (USHL),Torey Krug | Indiana Ice winning the Clark Cup with the latter, the team's first-ever title.
In 2012, Krug was named the CCHA Player of the Year, and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
Playing career Amateur As a young child, Krug played in the 2003 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Detroit Honeybaked minor ice hockey team. He was hosted by the Avoine family in Québec City during the ten days of the tournament.His 2003 host family He later played for the Belle Tire midget program in Michigan, and Krug skated in 59 regular season games for the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League (USHL), notching 47 points. Although he was undrafted into the USHL, Krug was extended an invitation by coach Jeff Blashill to try out for the Ice, eventually making the team. Krug also skated in 13 Clark Cup playoff games with seven points before capturing the championship. He was a member of the USHL All-Rookie Team and set the Indiana Ice record for points in a season by a defenseman in 2008–09.
Krug arrived at Michigan State University in the fall of 2009, and was initially slotted as a fifth or sixth defenseman on the roster. During the 2009–10 season, Krug was voted to the CCHA's All-Rookie Team. After skating in all 38 games, he finished the season second on the team in rookie scoring and led all CCHA first-year defensemen in scoring. Krug quickly gained a reputation as one of the CCHA's most offensive performers,Neil's Notebook: Krug's Leadership, Play Impressive – Michigan State Official Athletic Site and in advance of his sophomore season, was elected captain of the Spartans. As a sophomore, Krug was named to the First Team All-CCHA, and was voted the CCHA's Top Offensive Defenseman (he was the CCHA's top-scoring defenseman that year). In 2011–12, he was named to the All-CCHA Team for the second time, and was named a CCHA Player of the Year and Hobey Baker Award finalist. During the season, Krug was the top scoring defenseman in the CCHA, and shared the CCHA conference scoring title with Notre Dame's T. J. Tynan (29 points), becoming the first defenseman in the league to win a scoring title since Western Michigan's Wayne Gagner in 1986–87.MSU hockey Spartans top Notre Dame, earn a bye, NCAA D1, College Hockey (United States), College/University Hockey, Hockey Forum – The Hockey Network
As the result of his accomplishments with Michigan State, Krug was among collegiate hockey's most sought-after free agents when he signed with the Boston Bruins in 2012.Torey Krug continues to bring the magic to Bruins’ defense corps – Sports – The Boston Globe
Professional Boston Bruins
On March 25, 2012, Krug was signed to an entry-level contract by the Boston Bruins, making his NHL debut on April 3, 2012, against the Pittsburgh Penguins.Torey Krug to make NHL debut – bruins blog – Boston Globe hockey news Appearing in two games with the Bruins, Krug finished with one assist and had an even plus-minus rating, averaging just over 17 minutes of ice time per game.
Krug spent the 2012–13 season with the Providence Bruins, where he was hampered by a sprained ankle until mid-January.BRUINS NOTEBOOK: Rookie Torey Krug benefited from mid-season break – Fall River, MA – The Herald News After being called up from Providence on an emergency basis, he scored his first NHL goal during his first Stanley Cup playoff game in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals against the New York Rangers,Skillful performance by Torey Krug, Bruins – Touching All the Bases – Boston.com becoming the first Bruins defenseman to score in his playoff debut since Glen Wesley in 1988. Krug followed this by scoring his second NHL goal during Game 2 of the same series,Bruins Blueliner Krug Comes Through in Stanley Cup Playoff Debut | Bleacher Report becoming the fourth player in Bruins history to score goals in his first two playoff games. At the conclusion of the series, he became the first rookie defenseman in League history to score four goals in his first five playoff games. In the 2013 postseason, Krug impressed by scoring four goals and recording six assists.
Krug started the 2013–14 season on the Bruins' opening night roster, and scored his first regular season NHL goal on October 5, 2013, against Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings. On November 25, playing against the Pittsburgh Penguins, he became the first rookie defenseman in Bruins history to score an overtime goal, which also proved to be his first NHL game-winning goal. Krug was frequently mentioned during the 2013–14 season as a strong contender for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's rookie of the year. He was named to the NHL's All Rookie Team and was the top scoring rookie defenseman in the league and was 4th in the league in the goals amongst rookies. His 14 goals and 26 assists helped the Bruins win the Presidents' Trophy, with the league's best record. Krug ended the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs with 10 points in 12 games.
In the 2014–15 Boston Bruins season, Krug tallied 12 goals and 27 assists and recorded a +28 plus-minus, the best of his career. The following season, he produced 44 points on four goals and a career-high 40 assists.
On June 30, 2016, he re-signed a four-year deal worth an AAV of $5.25M with the Bruins. Krug ended the 2016–17 season ranking second among the team in assists and sixth in total points. In late April, Krug underwent surgery to repair a right shoulder injury and was expected to need six months to recover. Krug recovered enough to participate in the 2017 preseason but was injured in his second exhibition game, forcing him to miss the Bruins' season opener.
While playing in the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, Krug injured his left ankle during Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning and was later ruled out for the rest of the series. By the time of the pre-season schedule, just before the 2018–19 started on October 3 with a road game against the 2018 Stanley Cup-winning Washington Capitals, Krug suffered a different injury to his left ankle in the last 2018–19 pre-season game against the Philadelphia Flyers, and was expected to be out for a three-week period for recovery and re-evaluation. On March 27, 2019, in a game against the New York Rangers, Krug became the all-time points leader by an American-born player in Boston Bruins history. On June 1, 2019, during game 3 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals against the St. Louis Blues, Krug became the first player in Bruins history to record four points in a Stanley Cup Finals game.
St. Louis Blues On October 9, 2020, the opening day of free agency, Krug left the Bruins after nine seasons and signed a seven-year, $45.5 million contract with the St. Louis Blues.
On September 3, 2024, it was announced that Krug would miss the entire 2024–25 season due to left ankle surgery.
On May 6, 2025, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong stated that he did not expect Krug to play in the NHL again.
Personal life Krug was born on April 12, 1991, in Royal Oak, Michigan, the son of Cheryl and Kyle Krug. Torey's brother, Adam, played college hockey at Adrian CollegeEliteprospects.com – Adam Krug and brother Matt played at Robert Morris University and Wayne State University. Another brother, Zak, played college volleyball at Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan.Krug content with role as Walleye enforcer – Toledo Blade
Krug is married to Melanie Krug. They have two daughters together. Krug is a Christian.
Torey admired the play of former Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk because "he's the most well-rounded player on the ice," and models his game after former teammate Zdeno Chára.Man of the Day 3/28: Torey Krug | Adventures in Pucking He calls his father his largest hockey influence.Torey Krug Could Be a Perfect Fit for Bruins: Fan's Take – NHL – Yahoo! Sports
Krug graduated from Michigan State with a degree in Political Science in May 2017. He originally enrolled within the school's Finance program, but switched majors to Pre-Law after claiming he didn't enjoy the content. Krug was forced to switch programs again after signing with Boston due to the mandatory courses in Law not being available online, leading him towards Political Science. He completed his remaining 38 credits online during the NHL off-season over the course of the next five years.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs Bold indicates led league Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2006–07 Belle Tire 16U T1EHL 312151740 ————— 2007–08 Compuware 18U T1EHL 2505530 ————— 2008–09 Indiana Ice USHL 5910374750 1316713 2009–10 Michigan State University CCHA 383182167 ————— 2010–11 Michigan State University CCHA 3811172859 ————— 2011–12 Michigan State University CCHA 3812223451 ————— 2011–12 Boston Bruins NHL 20110 ————— 2012–13 Providence Bruins AHL 6313324537 70332 2012–13 Boston Bruins NHL 10110 154260 2013–14 Boston Bruins NHL 7914264028 1228106 2014–15 Boston Bruins NHL 7812273920 ————— 2015–16 Boston Bruins NHL 814404433 ————— 2016–17 Boston Bruins NHL 818435137 ————— 2017–18 Boston Bruins NHL 7614455936 1139128 2018–19 Boston Bruins NHL 646475333 242161810 2019–20 Boston Bruins NHL 619404933 1306622 2020–21 St. Louis Blues NHL 512303225 40222 2021–22 St. Louis Blues NHL 649344348 30330 2022–23 St. Louis Blues NHL 637253249 ————— 2023–24 St. Louis Blues NHL 774353932 ————— NHL totals 778 89 394 483 374 82 11 46 57 48 ===International=== Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2015 United States WC 10 2 3 5 8 Senior totals 10 2 3 5 8
Awards, achievements and records
Award YearCollege All-CCHA Rookie Team 2010 All-CCHA First Team 2011, 2012 College notes: Ferris State hockey seniors enjoy All-CCHA honors after passing up NHL options – MLive.comHagelin, Merrill on All-CCHA Teams; Burlon Takes Honorable Mention – MGOBLUE.COM – University of Michigan Official Athletic SiteCollege Hockey News: Miami, Ferris State Lead CCHA HonorsNMU's Gron, Florek named All-CCHA : Sports : UpperMichigansSource.com All-CCHA Best Offensive Defenseman 2011, 2012 Krug, Nill Among Major Award Winners at CCHA Awards Show – Michigan State Official Athletic Site CCHA Player of the Year 2012 AHCA West First-Team All-American 2012NHL NHL All-Rookie Team 2014 Boston BruinsNamed One of Top 100 Best Bruins Players of all Time2024
Records First player in the Boston Bruins history to record four points in a Stanley Cup Finals game.
References
External links