Top 10 Prospects: #8 Mario Lucia

Mario Lucia

Left Wing

Shoots: Left
Height: 6'3". Weight: 195 lbs.
Born: August 25, 1993
2013-14 Team: Notre Dame (Hockey East)
Acquired: 2nd round pick (60th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft
Previous Rank: 9

It doesn't seem that long ago when the Wild were drafting Mario Lucia out of Wayzata High School. But after a season playing in British Columbia and two seasons with Notre Dame, one has to wonder if this will be Lucia's final season before making the jump to the AHL..

Top 10 Prospects: #9 Mario Lucia

Mario Lucia

Forward

Born: 08-25-1993

Height: 6'2" Weight: 183 lbs
Shoots: Left

2012-13 Team: Notre Dame (CCHA)

Acquired: 2nd Round (60th overall) selection in 2011 Draft
Previous Rank: 10

Wild fans may not know much about the #10 ranked prospect Gustav Olofsson, but they know plenty about Mario Lucia. 

2013 Top 10 Wild Prospects: 10-8

Ive promised this for many months now, but that lockout thing, had me lacking motivation to get this done. But, the lockout is over, and the motivation to blog is back. So today, we kick off the top 10 Wild prospects list, by looking at 10-8.

10. Mario Lucia-Forward Notre Dame (CCHA). Previous Rank: 6

Lucia was drafted in 2011 by the Wild, and showed a pretty good offensive skill set while playing for Penticton last year (Posted a 42-52-94 line). Now he has moved on to play for the Fighting Irish, and was sidelined early in the year due to a broken leg. But since his return, he has scored 5 goals and 5 assists in 10 games. Lucia is still a ways away from playing professionally, but if he can develop nicely at ND, he has the potential to jump back up the list as time goes on.

9. Brett Bulmer-Forward Houston (AHL). Previous Rank: 9

Last year, we saw Bulmer have his cup of coffee with the Wild before being sent back to Kelowna of the WHL. While here, Bulmer displayed that gritty type of play that head coach Mike Yeo loves to see. Bulmer only notched 3 assists in his time here, but scored 34 goals and added 28 assists (2nd on Kelowna in scoring). But being the gritty player he is, he also notched 93 penalty minutes. Don't expect Bulmer to get anytime with the Wild in 2013, but look for him down the road as a 3rd-4th line type of guy.

8. Zack Phillips-Forward Houston (AHL). Previous Rank: 2

Coming out of St. John's, it appeared that sky was the limit for Zack Phillips. But, he has moved to Houston, and the transition to pro hockey has been anything but good. After posting 95 (38-57-95) and 80 (30-50-80) points in back to back seasons with St. John's, Phillips has just scored 12 points (2-10-12) in 33 games played with Houston. A big reason for his lack of success in the AHL, is Phillips skating ability. It was not overly sharp while he was with St. John's, and it has not improved while playing with Houston. This will clearly have to improve if he wishes to move up in the organization. He has a pretty decent offensive skill set (Minus the skating), and is a great setup guy. Look for him to spend a few years in Houston before we utter the words "call up".

Minnesota Wild 2012-13 Top 10 Prospects List

10. Mario Lucia

9. Brett Bulmer

8. Zack Phillips

7. Tomorrow

6. Tomorrow

5. Tomorrow

4. Sunday

3. Sunday

2. Sunday

1. Sunday

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The Team of 18,001's Top 10 Wild Prospects: 7-4

7. Mario Lucia-Forward Penticton (BCHL). The Wild traded up to take Lucia in last year's entry draft (60th overall, 2nd round). This is a move that should pay off nicely. In his only season with Pencticton, Lucia has notched a line to date of 37-51-88 (2nd on his team. Yes, you read that right, second.) in 53 games played this season. He has helped the Vees to a record of 53-3-2 (The best in the BCHL) and they are currently riding a 40 game winning streak. Lucia is committed to Notre Dame for the 2012-13 season, so he is still a few years away from wearing a Wild sweater.

6. Matt Hackett-Goalie Houston (AHL). Hackett has seen limited time with the Wild this year. But, when he has gotten his chance, he has not disappointed. He has stopped 100 of 102 shots against with the big club this year (.980 save percentage) and also has a 0.63 GAA. But that comes in just 5 games played (only 1 start!). With Houston, Hackett is 17-13-4 with a 2.41 GAA and a .917 save percentage this year. It would seem he is the heir apparent to the starting job in the 2013-14 season after Backstrom's contract is up. So look for him in a Wild sweater full time next season as a backup.

5. Jason Zucker-Forward Denver (WCHA). Zucker was drafted by the Wild in 2010 (2nd Round, 59th Overall) just prior to him heading to Denver to play for the Pioneers. In his two seasons in Denver, Zucker has posted back to back 20+ goal seasons while also being at the top of the Pioneers scoring chart. A big improvement for Zucker this year has been his presence on the power play as he has registered 9 PP goals this year, compared to 2 all of last year. Zucker has not signed a entry contract yet, so one would assume that he will play one more season in Denver, but he too could end up in Houston next year.

4. Jonas Brodin-Defenseman Farjestads BK (Elitserien). When you look at Brodin's stats, he doesn't jump off the page at you. So obviously he must do something else well when he gets taken 10th overall in the NHL Draft. He is a tremendous presence in the defensive zone, and he is known as a very intelligent defenseman.. He has the skill set to be a good two way forward in this league, so watch for his offensive stats to get better over time. Brodin signed a three year entry level contract last July, so look for him to be playing in Houston next year.

Here is the list through today. Come back tomorrow for the final three!

10. Darcy Kuemper

9. Brett Bulmer

8. Johan Larsson

7. Mario Lucia

6. Matt Hackett

5. Jason Zucker

4. Jonas Brodin

3. Tomorrow

2. Tomorrow

1. Tomorrow