BOSTON – For the Lutz family in Elk River, Minnesota, hockey has brought incredible joy to a few generations now. The latest example came Thursday night when Reggie Lutz, a senior left wing for Minnesota State Mankato, scored an all-around goal that gave the Mavericks a lead they would not give up and sent them to the Division I NCAA title fight for the first time in school history.
In 1988, hockey also brought the Lutz family a challenge that persists even today. Danny Lutz, the family patriarch, was playing a pickup game on an ice rink with friends when a freak collision led to permanent partial paralysis affecting his ability to walk even today. The injury in no way limited what Danny Lutz did in support of his three hockey-playing sons.
“Even with his condition, he still made a hockey rink outside that I could enjoy,” Reggie Lutz said ahead of Mavericks training on Friday at TD Garden. “He is clearly a big hockey fan and wants me to succeed. He is definitely one of my heroes and one of my idols. ”
Matt Dewkett / Minnesota State Athletics
Danny has his own career in sports, as a video freelancer, working primarily for ESPN and Bally Sports North in the twin cities, where he produces plays and graphics for their broadcasts. In a bit of cruel irony, when BSN produced the coverage of Hockey Day Minnesota in Mankato in January, Reggie was injured and could not play in the tent match against St. Louis. Thomas at Mavs’ football stadium. Still, Reggie remembers that his father’s job was a cool experience on the day “take your child to work”.
“When I was younger, I sometimes went to work with him and saw something behind the scenes,” Reggie recalled. “The TV trucks and those things were really cool.”
Contribution / University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers’ Schmidt honored by the NCAA
Before the Hobey, Humanitarian and Richter Prizes were awarded in Boston, Gophers learned that they had their own prize winner. Colin Schmidt, a Wayzata striker who played in 10 games last season, was recognized as the 2021-2022 recipient of the NCAA’s Elite 90 Award.
The award “recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the person who has reached the top of the competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers.” Schmidt won the award as the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average, participating in the final spot for each of the NCAA’s 90 championships.
Schmidt, who is a graduate of the Carlson School of Management, achieved Academic All-Big Ten honors this year (his first year of eligibility) with a cumulative grade point average of 4.00. On the ice, the transfer from Union had an assist on the game-winner in Penn State on February 18th.
Keeps it clean on Frozen
If you like powerplay goals, Frozen Four has been a big disappointment so far. The two matches played on Thursday offered a total of three penalties. Everyone was called on Michigan in Wolverines’ 3-2 overtime loss to Denver. In the second semifinal, Minnesota and Minnesota State played the first undefeated match at the Frozen Four in more than 70 years.
Jim Rosvold / The Rink Live
On March 18, 1950, Michigan and Boston College played a match without minor penalties called for to settle for third place in the tournament. Wolverines won the match, played at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, 10-6.
Pioneers enjoy gifts from the sea, at home, and on the road
Denver is far from either the Atlantic or the Pacific, so the Pioneers players admitted that when they come to a place like Boston for the tournament, fish is often on the team’s menu.
Jim Rosvold / The Rink Live
“We’ve been getting some fish the last few days. We had sushi the other day and we definitely enjoy seafood, ”said Denver senior right-winger Cameron Wright. “Denver also has some good seafood, surprisingly.”
Pioneer coach David Carle gave a nod to Sushi Den, located a few blocks from the DU campus, calling it one of the finest fish restaurants in the country.