Team USA's Chaz Lucius scored a hat trick to lead his team to a bronze medal. After years of setbacks, this chance to shine was a long time coming.
HALIFAX – Injuries have robbed Chaz Lucius of so many of the moments to this point in his young career – moments that a player of his caliber, the 19th overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft by the Winnipeg Jets and one of the top prospects in hockey, deserves to experience.
It's not fair, really. But hockey rarely is.
After a hand injury and eventual ankle surgery ended his freshman season at the University of Minnesota last season at just 24 games, Lucius not only found himself sidelined from game action but was then forced to watch from the stands as his teammates were ousted in the semifinal of the NCAA Frozen Four by rival Michigan.
Rewind even further, and an illness right before the 2020 World Under-18 Hockey Challenge was set to kick off knocked the talented young forward out for the entire tournament, as well. Even this season with the AHL's Manitoba Moose, Lucius was in danger of missing the world juniors altogether after a shoulder injury kept him on the shelf through early December.
It's safe to say that the stars have not aligned for the Kansas native to this point.
That is, until now.
"I think this game actually tied my longest streak of playing games in the last two years," explained Lucius to reporters following Team USA's thrilling overtime victory over Sweden, the one responsible for the bronze medal draped around his neck.
"So, I think the biggest thing here was just playing hockey. Playing games, getting reps, and being able to be more competitive out there."
Not only did Lucius finally get his moment on Thursday afternoon, he rose to the occasion – the type of occasion that had so often been ripped from his grasp – grabbing hold of a truly iconic game in world juniors history that quickly fell off the rails following a ho-hum first period to rip off a hat trick for Team USA. The third goal served as the overtime-winner that punched their date with bronze.
It wasn't the game Lucius or the Americans wanted to be playing in – especially after allowing six unanswered goals to Canada in Wednesday's semifinal to end their shot at gold. But for Lucius, the chance to be a hero on an international stage was special nonetheless.
"I've definitely not had the easiest time with injuries over the last little bit," he said to the agreeable crowd gathered before him.
"Especially in the U-18 challenge, not being able to be there for these guys. So, now, it feels deserved that I have the moment today."
Winning a medal at an international event like the world juniors, even if it is bronze, is an honor that no player takes lightly. The Americans were clearly elated and relieved to have salvaged what was rapidly teetering toward a disappointing event. But it also seemed to mean a little extra to the players in that room that Lucius was the one to lead the charge.
His struggles, and the perseverance they have required of him, are not lost on them.
"He's just gone through a ton of ups and down throughout his time with USA," said American forward Red Savage of his high-scoring teammate.
"You've gotta give it to him. Because every time, he just keeps on battling back. He's obviously a massive player and had the game of his life tonight. He's the reason why we have the medal around our necks. So, we definitely gave a lot of praise to him, and we were definitely in his corner throughout the rest of the tournament."
"Chaz is a pretty spectacular player," added forward Jimmy Snuggerud, who played with Lucius' brother, Cruz, during their Minnesota hockey days and has seen first-hand the resiliency Chaz has needed to overcome the hand that fate has dealt him.
"He's a goal-scorer at heart, and he proved that today with his hat trick. It's been really good for him. Just to be here."
The next steps for Lucius are unclear in the days ahead. The 19-year-old is expected to head back to Manitoba to join the Moose at some point and continue his first season of professional hockey in the AHL. Lucius says he's been in constant communication with the Jets throughout his time in Halifax, touching base primarily with the club's player development duo of Mike Keane and Jimmy Roy.
For now, though? Lucius plans to head back home to his parents' house in Minnesota for some much-deserved rest – to "see where the cards fall," as he says.
And after a performance like that, Lucius has earned all the rest he requires.
"It was huge for the team and huge for him," praised Team USA captain Luke Hughes, with Lucius standing just behind him in the chaotic Scotiabank Centre mix zone.
"Chaz is a great player who's going to go on and do great things."
Following years of setbacks, Thursday finally felt like Lucius' first step in that direction. And if his path leads to where most think it can, a bronze medal won't be the biggest moment Lucius experiences in the years to come.
Not by a long shot.