Jake Lucchini

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    Jake Lucchini Bio

    Jacob Leo Lucchini (born May 9, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Originally undrafted by NHL teams, Lucchini has built his career through perseverance in the minor leagues, eventually earning opportunities with the Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild before signing with the Predators organization. Standing 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) tall and weighing 82 kg (181 lb), he is known for his offensive skill and leadership qualities on the ice.

    Early Life and Background

    Jacob Leo Lucchini was born on May 9, 1995, in Trail, British Columbia, Canada. He is the son of Sandy and John Lucchini, and grew up in a household that valued hockey. Lucchini developed his skills in his hometown before moving on to junior competition, and his younger brother Jeremy also pursued the sport. Jeremy later played for the Trail Smoke Eaters in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), and the two siblings shared one season together on that roster. Today, Jeremy continues his career as a professional player in Europe.

    Lucchini’s hockey heritage extends to his grandfather, Leo Lucchini, who was a member of the Edmonton Mercurys team that captured the 1950 IIHF World Championship. That family connection to international hockey success helped shape the environment in which the younger Lucchini pursued the sport.

    Path to Hockey

    Lucchini began his competitive journey with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), where he developed into a high-scoring forward. Across 168 games with Trail, he produced 48 goals and 69 assists for 117 points, establishing himself as one of the league’s most productive players and earning attention from NCAA programs.

    Following his junior career, Lucchini committed to Michigan Tech, where he played NCAA Division I college hockey for the Huskies of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) across four seasons. In his freshman year of 2015–16, he recorded 7 goals and 17 points in 37 games and was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team. He continued his steady progression as a sophomore, contributing 11 goals and 22 points in 45 games during 2016–17, then served as alternate captain in his junior year, leading the Huskies in scoring with 16 goals and 39 points in 44 games while also earning WCHA All-Academic Team recognition. In his senior season, Lucchini was named co-captain and posted 11 goals and 26 points in 38 games, and he played on two Michigan Tech championship teams during his college career.

    Jake Lucchini Career

    Early Career (2019–2020)

    After completing his senior season at Michigan Tech, Lucchini signed an entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was immediately assigned to Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he appeared in 15 games and scored 6 goals and 7 points to close out the 2018–19 season. That brief but productive stint confirmed his readiness for the professional ranks.

    Lucchini began the 2019–20 season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and appeared in 53 games, registering 7 goals and 15 points. On February 20, 2020, he was traded by the Penguins, along with Joseph Blandisi, to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Phil Varone and Riley Barber. He was reassigned to the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, where he finished the season with 4 goals and 5 points in 8 games before the AHL suspended play on March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    AHL Development and NHL Debut (2020–2023)

    In the 2020 offseason, Lucchini signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadiens and was assigned to Laval for the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 campaign, where he recorded 3 goals and 6 points in 28 games. Ahead of 2021–22, he was traded by Laval to the Belleville Senators, Ottawa’s AHL affiliate, in exchange for future considerations. With Belleville, Lucchini enjoyed a breakout year, scoring 20 goals and 51 points in 72 games, and added one assist in two Calder Cup playoff games.

    As an unrestricted free agent, Lucchini signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract with the Ottawa Senators on July 13, 2022. After attending Ottawa’s training camp, he cleared waivers and was assigned to Belleville. During the 2022–23 season, he received his NHL call-up and made his debut on December 14, 2022, against the Canadiens. He scored the first NHL goal of his career on January 1, 2023, against the Buffalo Sabres. After 11 games with Ottawa, he returned to Belleville, finishing the year with 19 goals and 53 points in 61 AHL games and 1 goal in 11 NHL games.

    Minnesota Wild Era (2023–2024)

    Lucchini signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Minnesota Wild on July 1, 2023. He attended Wild training camp but was placed on waivers, went unclaimed, and began the 2023–24 season with Minnesota’s AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild. He received his first recall on December 23 and made his Wild debut that night against the Boston Bruins. After skating in four scoreless games, he was returned to Iowa before being recalled again on January 20, 2024, to replace the injured Connor Dewar.

    Lucchini scored his first goal for Minnesota in a 2–1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on February 7, 2024. Across the season, he made a career-best 40 appearances for the Wild, notching 2 goals and 5 points, while also adding 11 goals and 23 points in 30 games with Iowa. His ability to contribute at both the AHL and NHL levels cemented his reputation as a reliable two-way forward.

    Nashville Predators Era (2024–Present)

    Leaving the Wild at the conclusion of his contract, Lucchini signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Nashville Predators on July 1, 2024, and was assigned to Nashville’s AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. He spent most of the 2024–25 season with Milwaukee, scoring 21 goals and 45 points in 70 games, and added 1 goal and 5 points in 10 playoff games as Milwaukee advanced to the Central Division finals before being eliminated by the Texas Stars.

    On March 1, 2025, Lucchini was recalled by Nashville and made his Predators debut that night against the New York Islanders. He played three scoreless games with the Predators before being returned to Milwaukee on March 7. After being cut from Nashville’s training camp ahead of the 2025–26 season, Lucchini returned to Milwaukee and was named one of the Admirals’ alternate captains for the year.

    Driving Style and Strengths

    Lucchini is recognized for his offensive instincts, reliable two-way play, and consistent production at the AHL level. His college resume, which included leading the Michigan Tech Huskies in scoring during his junior season and serving as co-captain as a senior, demonstrates leadership and composure under pressure. He has shown an ability to adapt to new organizations quickly, whether contributing on the scoresheet or providing depth in a bottom-six NHL role.

    Notable Events and Milestones

    Among the highlights of Lucchini’s career, his first NHL goal on January 1, 2023, against the Buffalo Sabres stands out as a defining moment. His first goal as a member of the Minnesota Wild on February 7, 2024, also marked a milestone, as did his Predators debut on March 1, 2025. He also played a part in Milwaukee’s run to the 2025 Central Division finals, contributing 5 points in 10 postseason contests.

    Jake Lucchini Career Wins

    Across his junior, collegiate, and professional career, Jake Lucchini has built a steady record of production, highlighted by championship success at Michigan Tech and consistent AHL scoring in every season since turning pro. While his professional resume does not yet include major NHL individual awards, his progression from undrafted free agent to NHL contract holder underscores a career marked by perseverance and steady contributions at multiple levels.

    NCAA and Junior Highlights

    During his time with the Trail Smoke Eaters, Lucchini tallied 48 goals and 69 assists for 117 points in 168 BCHL games. At Michigan Tech, he skated on two Huskies championship teams across his four NCAA seasons, while earning WCHA All-Rookie Team honors in 2015–16 and WCHA All-Academic Team recognition in 2017–18.

    AHL and NHL Performances

    In the AHL, Lucchini produced 20 goals and 51 points with Belleville in 2021–22, then 19 goals and 53 points in 2022–23. He added 21 goals and 45 points with Milwaukee in 2024–25. In the NHL, he recorded 1 goal in 11 games with Ottawa during 2022–23, 2 goals and 5 points in 40 games with Minnesota in 2023–24, and 3 scoreless appearances with Nashville in 2024–25.

    Jake Lucchini Family

    Family Background and Racing Lineage

    Lucchini comes from a close-knit family with deep roots in the sport of hockey. His parents, Sandy and John Lucchini, raised him in Trail, British Columbia, where the local hockey culture shaped his early development. His younger brother, Jeremy Lucchini, also played for the Trail Smoke Eaters before embarking on a professional career in Europe, and the brothers shared one season together with the Smoke Eaters.

    The family’s hockey heritage reaches back even further through his grandfather, Leo Lucchini, who was a member of the Edmonton Mercurys team that won the 1950 IIHF World Championship. That legacy continues to influence the Lucchini family’s ongoing connection to the game.

    Personal Life

    Off the ice, Lucchini is known for his quiet professionalism and leadership, traits reflected in his captaincy roles at both Michigan Tech and Milwaukee. Public details about his personal relationships remain limited, and he continues to focus on his hockey career with the Nashville Predators organization.

    2025 Season Performance

    The 2025 calendar year has been a meaningful stretch for Jake Lucchini within the Nashville Predators organization. He began 2025 with the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL, where he continued his steady scoring pace during the second half of the 2024–25 season. His recall to Nashville on March 1, 2025, marked his first appearances with the Predators, although he was returned to Milwaukee after three scoreless games on March 7.

    Returning to Milwaukee for the Calder Cup playoffs, Lucchini contributed 1 goal and 5 points across 10 postseason games as the Admirals advanced to the Central Division finals before falling to the Texas Stars. After being released from Nashville’s training camp ahead of the 2025–26 season, he rejoined Milwaukee and was named one of the team’s alternate captains, signaling his continued leadership role within the organization.

    With a contract that runs through the 2025–26 season, Lucchini enters the campaign as a veteran AHL contributor and a ready depth option for Nashville. His mix of offensive reliability and two-way responsibility makes him a steady presence for the Admirals and a candidate for future NHL opportunities with the Predators.