With the 18th overall pick in Friday’s 2021 NHL Entry Draft, the Winnipeg Jets selected Chaz Lucius of the U.S. National Team Development Program.
Lucius is coming off of a season where he tallied 20 points (13 goals, 7 assists) in 13 games after recovering from a knee injury.
Lucius was the No. 12-ranked North American skater by Central Scouting and is set to play at the University of Minnesota next fall.
“Chaz Lucius is a true offensive producer and one of the most gifted goal scorers in the world. He has great dedication to training and becoming the best athlete he can,” Minnesota Head Coach Bob Motzko said. “It will be very exciting to watch Chaz grow in a Gopher uniform.”
Likely because of his knee injury last season, one that kept him out of action until February, Lucius fell a little further in the draft than expected.
“I really look up to Mark Scheifele,” Lucius said. “It’s pretty cool now that I’ve been drafted by the Jets and having him as an idol of mine. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity there and I’ll keep watching his game.”
More to come following the conclusion of the draft Saturday...