Wahlin Named USHL Forward of the Week
Published on March 29, 2022 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
The United States Hockey League (USHL) announced Tuesday that Lucas Wahlin has been named the Forward of the Week for Week 26 of the 2021-22 season.
Wahlin, 20, scored eight goals and added an assist in Lincoln's three-game weekend sweep over the Sioux Falls Stampede and the Waterloo Black Hawks. The 20-year-old scored back-to-back hat tricks on Friday and Saturday night before finishing the weekend with two goals on Sunday.
After his explosive weekend, Wahlin leads the Stars in goals (24) and ranks second on the team with points (51).
"I don't think I've ever had back-to-back hat tricks in my entire life," Wahlin said. "The last time I've scored that many goals was probably peewees, so [this weekend] kind of shocked me, too."
While the offensive output may have surprised Wahlin, the effort he displayed is consistent with the entirety of his first USHL campaign in Lincoln.
"Lucas is a professional," Stars head coach Rocky Russo said. "He's been this type of player for us all year. A lot of the things he does do not really show up on the scoresheet every weekend; he's been one of our most important players since day one."
The University of St. Thomas commit played in the North American Tier III League in the 2019-20 season with the North Iowa Bulls before moving up to the North American League with the Kenai River Brown Bears in 2020-21. Wahlin went undrafted before joining the Stars in training camp and continues to be grateful for what he's earned so far.
"Every day is a new day; it's an opportunity," Wahlin said. "Yeah, I had a good weekend, but it's about next weekend and the weekend after that and onto playoffs. Every day is not given. There are kids who don't get the chance to do what I'm doing every single day. When I was in the NA3, I thought the same way."
Wahlin's parents and brother Ben made the six-plus hour trek from his hometown of Woodbury, MN this past weekend, making his standout performance mean even more.
"It was unbelievable," Wahlin continued. "My brother is like my best friend so it was awesome that I can show him what I've got. He hasn't watched me play live in a while so it was really special."
United States Hockey League Stories from March 29, 2022
- Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Weekend Preview - April 1-2 - Green Bay Gamblers
- Wahlin Named USHL Forward of the Week - Lincoln Stars
- Brisson & Moyle Propel Michgan to Frozen Four - Green Bay Gamblers
- Nelson Shines, Takes Runner-Up in State Final - Green Bay Gamblers
- Lucas Wahlin, Cal Thomas and Trey Augustine Earn Weekly Honors - USHL
- Cal Thomas Named USHL Defenseman of the Week - Chicago Steel
- Black Hawks Futures Camps Open July 21st - Waterloo Black Hawks
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