First-round NHL Draft pick Chaz Lucius signs with Portland
Winnipeg, Man. – The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club today shared that the Winnipeg Jets have assigned 2021 first-round NHL Draft pick Chaz Lucius to the Winterhawks for the remainder of the 2022-23 Western Hockey League season.
Lucius, 19, signed a WHL Standard Player Agreement on Monday and will report to Portland following the team’s East Division swing.
Adding to the arsenal 😈 pic.twitter.com/HXJx9ygNvK
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) January 10, 2023
The White Bear Lake, Minn. native was originally selected by the Winterhawks in the fourth round, #74 overall, of the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft. He has remained on the club’s protected college list after originally electing to go the NCAA route. Lucius played two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program before enrolling at the University of Minnesota in 2021. He produced 19 points in 24 NCAA games during the 2021-22 campaign before electing to sign his entry-level contract with the Jets.
After inking his NHL deal, Lucius joined the Jets’ American Hockey League affiliate in Manitoba to begin the season where he scored two goals and three assists for five points in 12 games.
In December, Lucius was named to the United States roster ahead of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. The 19-year-old produced seven points in seven games to help Team USA earn bronze. Lucius scored a hat trick, including the overtime-winning goal, in an 8-7 win against Sweden in the bronze medal game.
Game winner in OT and a hat trick for Chaz Lucius. 🇺🇸@usahockey wins bronze! #WorldJuniors@ManitobaMoose @NHLJets pic.twitter.com/Avq1hhOOCq
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 5, 2023
The Winterhawks will have four games remaining on their current road trip and will play their next home game on Friday, January 20 against the Victoria Royals. Further information on Lucius’ first practice and media availability with the team will be provided as they become available.
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Join us for a record-breaking Where’s Waldo night on Friday, January 20. Help us break the world record for ‘largest gathering of people dressed as Waldo’ – currently set at 4,626. Keep Portland Weird and get your tickets now.
Then, keep the energy going for Sippin’ Saturday (a free beer and cider tasting night) on January 21 and the first-ever Kids Day Game at noon on Monday, January 23.
