Cruz Lucius Joins the Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks announced Tuesday that they have signed right wing Cruz Lucius to a two‑year, entry‑level contract that will keep the 22‑year‑old under contract through the 2027‑28 NHL season.
Lucius was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins on August 19 in a transaction that involved future considerations, giving the Ducks a fresh infusion of talent ahead of the upcoming campaign.
During his most recent collegiate season at Arizona State, he earned NCHC First All‑Star honors after recording 15 goals, 31 assists and 46 points in 36 games, a performance that placed him seventh nationally for assists and topped the league in assists per game.
His four‑year college career spans stints at Arizona State and the University of Wisconsin, where he amassed 41 goals, 83 assists and 124 total points in 125 appearances, highlighted by a sophomore season in which he led the Badgers with 13 goals and 21 assists.
Internationally, Lucius helped Team USA capture a silver medal at the 2022 U‑18 World Championship and previously represented his country at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games, underscoring his competitive pedigree on the world stage.
General Manager Jeff Gordon praised the signing, noting that Lucius’s “elite playmaking vision and relentless work ethic” align perfectly with the Ducks’ long‑term vision.