Chaz Lucius | |||
---|---|---|---|
Born | Lawrence, Kansas, U.S. | May 2, 2003||
Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) | ||
Position | Center | ||
Shot | Right | ||
Played for | Manitoba Moose | ||
NHL draft | 18th overall, 2021 Winnipeg Jets | ||
Playing career | 2022–2025 |
Chaz Lucius (born May 2, 2003) is an American former professional ice hockey center. Although Lucius was drafted in the first round by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, [1] he never played in the NHL.
Lucius played collegiate hockey with the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the NCAA. His professional career was plagued by numerous injuries. After playing parts of three seasons for the Manitoba Moose, the Jets' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, he was diagnosed with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome and retired from professional hockey in April 2025.
Following his freshman season with Minnesota, Lucius concluded his collegiate career by signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets on April 27, 2022. [2] Lucius began his professional career with the Jets' American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, recording 2 goals and 3 assists in 12 games. After returning from the World juniors, Lucius was assigned to play major junior hockey for the remainder of the 2022-23 season with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL) on January 9; he had originally been selected by the Winterhawks 74th overall in the 4th round of the 2018 WHL draft.
Despite being assigned on January 9, due to the team being on an East Division road trip, Lucius did not make his debut until January 20th, against the Victoria Royals. In his debut, Lucius recorded 2 assists in a 7–6 overtime win.
On April 8th, 2025, after suffering from multiple joint injuries in the prior three seasons, Lucius announced his retirement from professional hockey via Instagram after being diagnosed with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. [3] [4]
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Representing ![]() | ||
Ice hockey | ||
World Junior Championships | ||
![]() | 2023 Canada |
On December 12, 2022, Lucius was named to the United States men's national junior ice hockey team to compete at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. During the tournament he recorded five goals and two assists in seven games and won a bronze medal. [5]
Lucius has one younger brother, Cruz, who also plays hockey. Cruz plays as a winger for the Arizona State Sun Devils of the NCAA; he was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2022 and currently is an unsigned Pittsburgh Penguins prospect following a trade between the two teams. [6]
Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
2019–20 | U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 32 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2020–21 | U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 12 | 13 | 5 | 18 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2021–22 | University of Minnesota | B1G | 24 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2022–23 | Portland Winterhawks | WHL | 6 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2022–23 | Manitoba Moose | AHL | 12 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2023–24 | Manitoba Moose | AHL | 17 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2024–25 | Manitoba Moose | AHL | 25 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
AHL totals | 54 | 7 | 20 | 27 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — |
Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | United States | U17 | ![]() | 6 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 0 | |
2023 | United States | WJC | ![]() | 7 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 0 | |
Junior totals | 13 | 12 | 5 | 17 | 0 |