Mario Lucia

February 2018 – Lucia was traded in a package to the New Jersey Devils for hard-hitting 25 year old AHL defender Viktor Loov. Lucia is 24 and clearly on the lower end of the depth chart at the forward position. Losing a contract to get under the 50 contract limit would have been needed for the Wild to be active as the trade deadline approaches. Will Scouch October 2016 – Mario Lucia is off to a pleasing start in his first full year at the professional level. Through three games for the Iowa Wild he’s got a goal and two helpers. There’s been plenty of anticipation for his arrival and so far he’s been delivering after four seasons of seasoning with the Fighting Irish. Edric Joseph August 2016 – Lucia faired reasonably well in his first taste of professional hockey having mustered four points in nine games for the Iowa Wild at the tail-end of last season. He’ll look to have a more stable role with the club in the fall after pushing for such deployment in training camp. Edric Joseph April 2016 – Upon completion of his collegiate hockey career, Mario Lucia has finally signed an entry level agreement with the Wild. He is expected to be suiting up with the Iowa Wild for the remainder of this season to show the pro ranks what he can do. The change of pace couldn’t have come at a better time as his interest in applying himself seemed to wane as his college hockey career progressed. No longer being a big fish in a smaller pond he’ll have incentive to apply himself consistently once again. Edric Joseph January 2016 – Lucia’s decision to stay with the University of Notre Dame seems to have been the right one so far, as he’s managed to produce 19 points through 25 games for the Fighting Irish. His playmaking savvy and newly acquired alternate captaincy status speaks to his improved maturity and more dedicated approach to the game. Edric Joseph June 2015- It seems that Mario Lucia will be returning to the University of Notre Dame rather than make the leap to the professional ranks next season. Not only does Lucia get another chance to grow as a player, this also gives Lucia the option to listen to offers from other NHL clubs that will attempt to court him as a free agent. An interesting development, but one that Lucia maintains he has no intention to pursue citing his desire to graduate and suit up for the Minnesota Wild when duty calls. The Wild are not only the team that drafted him, but there is added incentive to play for them as it’s his hometown team. Edric Joseph December 2014 – Three years into his playing career for the University of Notre Dame, Mario Lucia is quietly putting together a nice collegiate hockey resume. Lucia is a nice blend of hockey IQ and athleticism that a hockey club could always use. Has been kept out of the Minnesota Wild spotlight, but it has been to Lucia’s benefit as he has been able to grow without the pressures that come with turning around a professional hockey team’s postseason misfortunes. Plays big and it is relieving to see that his frame has caught up to his physical brand of offense. Needs to show that his hot start that was worthy of October’s player of the month honours is not an exception but something that can be expected going forward. Edric Joseph January 2014 – As a freshman at Notre Dame last season, Mario Lucia skated in 32 games on his way to making the NCAA All-Rookie Team and he was also a member of the gold medal-winning USA Team at the 2013 World Junior Championship. Lucia had 23 points (12 goals and 11 assists) as a freshman and finished a minus-4 with 18 penalty minutes. So far in his sophomore year, Lucia is tearing it up with 22 points (13 goals and 9 assists) in 25 games while playing with Columbus prospect T.J. Tynan. Jamie Zadow