Top Winnipeg Jets prospect Chaz Lucius done for season with shoulder injury

The Winnipeg Jets have announced prospect Chaz Lucius will not finish the season with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks after undergoing shoulder surgery today.

The 19-year-old center had 15 points in six games with the Winterhawks, recording at least two points in every outing.

Drafted 18th overall by the Jets in 2021, Lucius quickly became one of Winnipeg’s top prospects. He spent a year with the University of Minnesota before turning pro and joining the AHL’s Manitoba Moose this year. He had five points in 12 games before an injury sidelined in late November and wouldn’t play again until the 2023 World Junior Championship.

Lucius was a key piece of USA’s offense, recording a point-per-game and scoring the goal that secured bronze against Sweden. Instead of returning to Manitoba, the Jets decided to send him to Portland in a chance to win the WHL championship. He put up incredible numbers in his short span with the team, helping his team win all of them. Portland currently sits second in the United States Division with a 35-10-3 record, going 1-2-0 in the three games since Lucius was sidelined.

Lucius short career has already been hampered heavily by injuries. He missed significant time during his lone college season, suffering a hand injury and later had ankle surgery. Before that, Lucius injured his knee at the U-16 level and required surgery in 2020, putting him in a wheelchair and forcing him to re-learn how to walk and skate again. So adding shoulder surgery at such a young age is a big blow for the skilled, goal-scoring forward.

The Lawrence, Kansas native is a smart forward that can work with just about anyone on his line. He has a powerful wrist shot that he puts on display every night, and his defensive game is solid, too. If he can stay healthy, he’ll be a significant piece of the team’s core one day, but staying healthy has been the biggest challenge so far.