Career
He has twice led the Golden Gophers to the National Collegiate Athletic Association National Championship title, in 2002 and 2003. Lucia graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1981, where he played defense for the school"s hockey team Lucia has two sons who have been picked in the National Hockey League Entry Draft.
Tony Lucia (born 1987), who is currently playing in the American Hockey League with the Worcester Sharks, was selected in the 6th round of the 2005 National Hockey League Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks.
And Mario Lucia (born 1993), who is currently playing for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men"s ice hockey team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association"s Hockey East, was selected in the 2nd round of the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild. During the 2008–2009 season, Lucia was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, but only missed four games while battling the autoimmune disease.
This illness, combined with a growing number of college hockey players taking their talents to the National Hockey League, led Lucia"s Gophers to a 17–18–2 record during the 2009–2010 season. This season was Lucia"s only year with a losing record with the Gophers, and his first since coaching Alaska-Fairbanks in the 1991–1992 season.
