Chaz Lucius

Last updated

Chaz Lucius
Born (2003-05-02) May 2, 2003 (age 21)
Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.
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 20222025

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.

Contents

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.

Playing career

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]

International play

Medal record
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 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]

Personal life

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]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2019–20 U.S. National Development Team USHL 32814226
2020–21 U.S. National Development TeamUSHL12135186
2021–22 University of Minnesota B1G 249101923
2022–23 Portland Winterhawks WHL 6510150
2022–23 Manitoba Moose AHL 122356
2023–24 Manitoba MooseAHL17211136
2024–25 Manitoba MooseAHL253696
AHL totals547202718

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2019 United States U17 Silver medal icon.svg673100
2023 United States WJC Bronze medal icon.svg75270
Junior totals13125170

References

  1. "Chaz Lucius". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  2. "Jets sign forward Chaz Lucius to three-year, entry-level contract". Winnipeg Jets. April 27, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  3. Wyshynski, Greg (April 8, 2025). "Winnipeg Jets prospect Chaz Lucius, 21, announces retirement". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  4. "Jets 2021 first-round pick Chaz Lucius retires from hockey for medical reasons". Sportsnet.ca. Canadian Press. April 8, 2025. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  5. Kimelman, Adam (December 12, 2022). "2023 World Junior Championship rosters". NHL.com. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  6. Destin, Andrew (March 26, 2024). "Penguins Pipeline: Cruz Lucius can make plays others 'can't see,' but development remains". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Winnipeg Jets first round draft pick
2021
Succeeded by