MINNESOTA SIGNS LUCIA AND SEELER
Mar 27, 2016Wild Prospects Turn Pro After Collegiate Seasons Come To A Close
DES MOINES, IA – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher announced over the weekend the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed forward Mario Lucia and defenseman Nick Seeler, each to a two-year, entry-level contract.
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Lucia, 22 (8/25/93), tallied 24 points (12-12=24) in 37 games this seasonand 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 withthe 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 the AHL regular season. He was selected by Minnesota in the second round (60th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in Saint Paul.
Seeler, 22 (6/3/93), collected 10 assists in 36 games during his junior season with the University of Minnesota and led the team with a plus-21 rating, 43 penalty minutes (PIM) and 91 blocked shots. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound native of Eden Prairie, Minn., was also an Academic All-Big Ten selection. He redshirted the 2014-15 season due to NCAA transfer rules after playing two seasons at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Seeler tallied 10 points (4-6=10) and 61 PIM in 36 games with the Mavericks in 2013-14 and was named to the NCHC Academic All-Conference Team. He ranked T-1st on the team in blocked shots (74) and second in PIM. Seeler collected nine points (2-7=9) and 55 PIM in 34 games during his freshman season in 2012-13 and ranked second on the team in PIM and fifth in blocked shots (30).
He spent the 2011-12 season playing for Muskegon and Des Moines in the United States Hockey League (USHL) and totaled 28 points (4-24=28) in 56 games and was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team. Seeler helped Eden Prairie High School win the 2011 and 2009 Minnesota Class AA State Hockey Championships and was a First Team All-State pick following his senior season in 2010-11. He was selected by Minnesota in the fifth round (131st overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in Saint Paul.
Iowa welcomes Manitoba to Wells Fargo Arena on Wednesday, Mar. 30 for a 7 p.m. game. The Wild hosts “Winning Wednesday” courtesy of NASH ICON. Every fan in attendance receives a ticket to the next Wednesday home game (Apr. 13) if the Iowa Wild wins. The game also features “Jim Beam and NASH FM Guys Night”, consisting Beam Orchard Twist drink specials of $5 for a regular and $10 for a mason jar Orchard Beam Twist.
The Wild hosts Manitoba for a rematch on Friday, Apr. 1 at 7 p.m. Friday is Race Car and Bobblehead Night, courtesy of Krist Insurance. The first 1,000 fans receive a Tyler Graovac bobblehead. The game features $2 beers, presented by 100.3 The Bus. Fans may also purchase the “Bring Your Buds Bundle” which includes: one ticket, one 16 oz. Bud or Bud Light at the Wild game, one hot dog, one popcorn, $1 off a Bud or Bud Light 25 oz. can at the Wild game, and a free Bud or Bud Light at Carl’s Place following the game.
Fans may purchase single-game tickets multiple ways, either through the team's website – www.Iowawild.com, the Wells Fargo Arena box office or participating Hy-Vee food stores. Tickets are available online at www.Iowawild.com under the single game tickets tab. The Wells Fargo Arena box office is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and closed on Sunday. For Saturday game days, the box office will open at 10 a.m. For Sunday game days the box office will open at 12 p.m. Fans may also purchase tickets by calling 1-844-55-HYVEE or by visiting participating Hy-Vee food stores locations in the greater Des Moines area. Those interested may also visit www.hy-veetix.com. Fans interested in buying full season, or smaller season packages may call the Iowa Wild front office at 515-564-8700.
The Iowa Wild 2015-16 season is presented by Mercy Medical Center, it runs from October through April. Fans may purchase seats to see any of the team’s 38 regular season home games at Wells Fargo Arena. Season tickets to see the Wild play its 2015-16 season at Wells Fargo Arena start at just $9 per game. For more information on tickets, including ticket plans and group seating, please contact the Wild ticket office by calling 515-564-8700 or go to www.iowawild.com.
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