WOODBURY, Minn. — "Be the hardest working guy out on the ice, even off the ice as well and treat every day like it's a tryout," said Lucas Wahlin on a piece of advice that his dad gave him. That advice has clearly resonated with him, as Wahlin went on to play in the NA3HL out of high school and worked his way up to the USHL.
"I was going to actually play this year in the North American League," said Wahlin.
"I was surprised when Lincoln called me. I mean it's not easy to make a USHL team as an age out but they told me I would have a good opportunity of making the team, and they liked my game so I gave it a shot. "
Wahlin went on to score 35 goals and posted 30 assists during the 2021-22 season, and ranked 17 in points among all USHL skaters. Come the fall, he will be making the switch from juniors to college hockey as he will be added to the University of St. Thomas roster.
Although it was a different route, Wahlin's story goes to show that not everyone's path is the same.
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"It's been a real journey for me," Wahlin said.
"A lot of scouts and coaches I talked to coming out of high school wanted me to do a lot different journey than I took. They never thought that people really made it out of the (NA3HL) or stuff like that, but it was just kind of the thought of proving them wrong."
