Mason City NA3HL Alumnus forward Lucas Wahlin has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Winnipeg Jets. With his collegiate season at the University of St. Thomas complete, Wahlin will report to the Manitoba Moose, the Jet’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.
Wahlin, a native of Woodbury, Minnesota, spent the 2019-2020 season in Mason City, during which he skated in 38 games and led the team with 32 goals while adding 27 assists for 59 points, finishing as the 3rd leading point producer on the team. For his efforts that season, Wahlin was named to the NA3HL’s Top Prospects Tournament, the All West Division Team, the All-Rookie First Team, and the All NA3HL First Team. He was also named the NA3HL Rookie of the Year.
During his time in Mason City, he earned chances to play in five North American Hockey League games split between the Jamestown Rebels and the Kenai River Brown Bears. The next hockey season, Wahlin found himself on the Brown Bears’ full-time roster. The next season, he continued the climb to the highest level of American junior hockey, playing for the United States Hockey League’s Lincoln Stars. His performance earned a commitment to the University of St. Thomas where he shone, bringing the Tommies’ new NCAA DI program to national prominence.
Wahlin laced up for 137 collegiate games over the course of four seasons, wearing the Captain’s C for three seasons. He led the Tommies to the CCHA Championship game two seasons in a row, and holds program records for games played, goals scored (56), and points (131).
Lucas becomes the first Mason City NA3HL alumnus to ink an NHL contract. He also will become the first Mason City NA3HL alumnus to lace up for a game in the American Hockey League, the second highest level of the hockey in the world.