BOWLING GREEN — Lukas Craggs will forgo his senior season at Bowling Green State University to sign a contract with the Nashville Predators.
Craggs, a left wing who finished third on the team in goals, drew attention from NHL teams throughout the 2018-19 season. The Elmhurst, Ill., native scored a team-best five game-winning goals for the Falcons.
He finished with 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 33 games for Bowling Green, which played in its first NCAA tournament in 29 years this season.
Craggs also led the NCAA in penalty minutes as a junior and was the Falcons’ most physical player.
In an interview last week, Craggs said he wants to cut down on penalty minutes, but he believed his ability to change games with aggressiveness is what earned the attention of professional teams.
“I think that’s what allows me to play the game style I want to play and what has so much interest,” he said. “You can’t find too many players like myself anymore.”
Craggs becomes the second Falcon to sign an NHL contract this week, as starting goaltender Ryan Bednard also is leaving. Bednard signed with the Florida Panthers, who already had drafted him.
The Predators have clinched a spot in the NHL playoffs. With two games remaining, Nashville is tied with Winnipeg atop the Central Division with 96 points, though the Jets lead in the ROW (regulation plus overtime wins) and would break any tie.
The playoffs begin next week.
Congrats @BGFalconHockey @LukasCraggs on signing his 1st @NHL Contract with the @PredsNHL #AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/bMmqrUPC2I
— Ty Eigner (@TyEigner) April 4, 2019
First Published April 4, 2019, 7:26 p.m.
