March 11, 2013
Farmington Hills, Mich. – Notre Dame freshmen left wing Mario Lucia (Plymouth, Minn.) has been selected to the 2013 CCHA all-rookie team in voting done by the conference’s coaches. The seven-member all-rookie squad will be honored in Detroit on Friday, March 22 at the 2013 CCHA Awards Show at the Fox Theatre.
Four other schools had players selected to the all-rookie team with a total of 13 freshmen in the conference receiving votes. Joining Lucia on the team were forwards Riley Barber (Miami) and Tyler Morley (Alaska). Due to a voting tie, three defensemen were selected to the team – Jacob Trouba (Michigan), Matthew Caito (Miami) and Kenney Morrison (Western Michigan). Miami’s Ryan McKay was the conference’s top rookie goaltender.
Lucia is the 15th Notre Dame player to take CCHA all-rookie honors, joining Robbie Russo (2011-2), Anders Lee (2010-11), T.J. Tynan (2010-11), Mike Johnson (2009-10), Billy Maday (2008-09), Kevin Deeth (2006-07), Kyle Lawson (2006-07), Ryan Thang (2006-07), Erik Condra (2005-06), Brett Lebda (2003-04), David Inman (1998-99), Mark Eaton (1997-98), Joe Dusbabek (1996-97) and Jamie Ling (1992-93).
In his first season with the Irish, Lucia has played in 27 games after missing the first nine games of the year due to a broken leg. He is fifth in team scoring with 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points and is -1 on the season with five power-play goals and one game winner. His 12 goals tie him for second on the squad and he leads the team with his five power-play goals. During the 2012-13 season, Lucia has been named the CCHA Postgame offensive player of the week (March 4) and the CCHA Gongshow rookie of the week twice (Dec. 2 and 9). The talented freshman was named the CCHA Gongshow rookie of the month for December.
Among CCHA rookies, Lucia is tied for fourth in overall scoring with 22 points while his 12 goals were second among CCHA freshmen. On the power play, the 2011 Minnesota Wild second-round draft choice is tied for eighth with five power-play goals while his 10 power-play points put him in the top 14 in the conference. His 12 CCHA goals tie him with Barber for tops among league rookies in conference games only and his 21 league points were third overall.
Lucia and the Irish return to CCHA playoff action this weekend when Notre Dame (21-12-3) plays host to the Bowling Green Falcons (15-19-5) in a best-of-three quarterfinal series, March 15-17. Game time all three nights (if necessary) is 7:05 p.m.
2012-13 CCHA All-Rookie Team
Name Position School HometownRiley Barber Forward Miami Livonia, Mich.Mario Lucia Forward Notre Dame Plymouth, Minn.Tyler Morley Forward Alaska Burnaby, B.C.Jacob Trouba Defenseman Michigan Rochester, Mich.Matthew Caito Defenseman Miami Coto de Caza, Calif.Kenney Morrison Defenseman Western Michigan Lloydminster, Alta.Ryan McKay Goaltender Miami Palatine, Ill.
Honorable Mentions – Forwards: Cristoval Nieves, Michigan; Matt DeBlouw, Michigan State; Defense: Colton Parayko, Alaska, Craig Dalrymple, Ohio State; Goaltenders: Josh Hildebrand, Michigan State; John Keeney, Alaska.