Former Smoke Eater Lucchini Signs Contract With Pittsburgh
By Trevor Miller
The Trail Smoke Eaters are pleased to announce that former forward and captain Jake Lucchini (’95) has signed a one-year entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League.
Lucchini, 23, just completed his fourth season at Michigan Tech University, where he played in 164 career games at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level. The 5’11”, 183-pound forward registered 45 goals and 59 assists for 104 points in that span while also donning the “C” for the Huskies in his senior season. Lucchini was one of the 81 collegiate players named a candidate for the Hobey Baker Award which is awarding to college hockey’s best player.
The Trail, BC native played three seasons for the Smoke Eaters from 2012 to 2015, amassing 48 goals and 69 assists for 117 points in 168 career games played. Lucchini was named team captain in his final season of Junior ‘A’ hockey and led the team in goals (35), assists (48) and points (83) in his final season, earning him a BCHL Second Team All-Star honour.
Lucchini will report to the Penguins American Hockey League (AHL) team, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins with his contract beginning in the 2019/20 season. Lucchini attended the Penguins Prospect Development Camp this past June.
The Smoke Eaters organization would like to congratulate Jake on his contract and wish him the best of luck this season and in his future endeavours.
The Smoke Eaters currently await their next opponent for the Interior Division Semi Final with games still being played. Trail will begin their next series on the road before returning home next week. Keep up to date with the Smoke Eaters social media channels as well as their website for further details.
