Wild Sign Mario Lucia Entry-Level Contract

Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed forward Mario Lucia to a two-year, entry-level contract starting with the 2016-17 season.

Lucia, 22 (8/25/93), tallied 24 points (12-12=24) in 37 games this season and totaled 110 points (61-49=110) in 151 games during his four-year career at the University of Notre Dame (2012-16).

The alternate captain led the Irish with five power-play goals, ranked T-2nd in goals and T-5th in scoring in 2015-16. The 6-foot-3, 206-pound forward recorded 32 points (21-11=32) in 42 games in 2014-15 and led Notre Dame in goals and ranked third in scoring.

Lucia ranked second in Hockey East in goals and T-13th in the NCAA and was named Hockey East Player of the Month in October. He collected 31 points (16-15=31) in 40 games and led the team with seven power-play goals, ranked T-1st with four game-winning goals, ranked second in goals and fourth in scoring in 2013-14.

Lucia collected 23 points (12-11=23) in 32 games in 2012-13 and helped Notre Dame claim the CCHA Championship. He was named to the 2013 CCHA All-Rookie Team, Notre Dame’s Rookie of the Year and the CCHA Rookie of the Month for December.

Lucia helped Penticton of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) set a North American junior hockey record with a 42-game win streak (11/11/11-3/9/12) and helped the Vees win the 2012 RBC Cup and Doyle Cup championships. He ranked T-1st in the BCHL in goals and third in scoring and was named to the BCHL Second All-Star Team and All-Rookie Team.

Lucia won a gold medal with the United States at the 2013 World Junior Championship, tallied three goals to help the United States Under-18 team win a gold medal at the 2010 Four Nations Cup in Sweden and led the tournament with four goals as the United States earned a bronze medal at the 2010 World Junior A Challenge.

Lucia was born in Fairbanks, Ala., grew up in Plymouth, Minn., and played high school hockey at Wayzata High School where he was an All-State selection as a junior.

Lucia will report to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL) on an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) for the remainder of this season. He was selected by Minnesota in the second round (60th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in Saint Paul.

[Minnesota Wild press release]

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