With the exception of a year playing for the Birmingham Bulls in the World Hockey Association Craig Hartsburg played his entire professional career with the Minnesota North Stars.  In those ten seasons, he was the team captain for seven of them providing dependable two way hockey from the blueline position.  Hartsburg would have four seasons where he went over 50 Points and he finished 4th in Norris Trophy voting in the 1981-82 season.  Hip problems would force him to retire early at the age of 30 and he would begin his coaching career as an assistant with Minnesota the following year.