Before he forged his way into St. Thomas’ Division I record book as the program’s career scoring leader, before he picked up a nomination for the 2026 Hobey Baker Award, and before he was selected as the CCHA Student-Athlete of the Year, Lucas Wahlin could only bide his time while searching for a place to play major college hockey.
After graduating from Hill-Murray, the Woodbury native spent two seasons in a lower level of junior hockey before joining the Lincoln Stars of the USHL for the 2021-22 season. Wahlin averaged better than a point a game in Lincoln, and the major college suitors begin to emerge.
Lucas Wahlin, shown playing in a series against CCHA rival Bemidji State at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena in January 2026, leads St. Thomas with 19 goals heading into the conference tournament this weekend. (Abby Bondi/St. Thomas Athletics)
Among them was St. Thomas coach Rico Blasi, who was early in the process of building a Division I program in St. Paul. Wahlin’s numbers spoke for themselves. But there was also his work ethic, intensity, a team-first mentality and a determination to succeed.
“He didn’t know it at the time,” Blasi said, “but we were recruiting a team around him.”
Blasi and Co. would share that plan with their No. 1 recruiting target soon enough.
“They told me they wanted me to be the culture builder,” Wahlin said. “They wanted me to be that standard. I thought that was super cool, super special.”
Blasi was relieved when it became clear the he wouldn’t have to go to Plan B.
“We went after him hard,” Blasi said. “We didn’t have much to offer, but we tried to sell the vision.”
Four years later, neither side is disappointed. With Blasi and Wahlin doing their parts to lead the way, the Tommies have improved to the point where thy can earn their first trip to the NCAA Tournament if they win the CCHA postseason tournament, which begins on Friday with a series against Lake Superior State at Lee & Penny Anderson.
Asked about his relationship with his coach, Wahlin, 24, said the best way he could explain it is that he considers him a father figure. When that sentiment was relayed to Blasi, his heart swelled, but it was not a revelation. Many words have been spoken between the two, but some things don’t need to be said for the message to be delivered.
Wahlin, Blasi said, is the Tommies player who most reminds him of himself.
Breaking new ground
Blasi called Wahlin in for a meeting over the summer after his freshman season and got right to the point. He wanted Wahlin to wear a letter on his jersey in the the upcoming season, designating him as one of the team’s leaders.
“I was shocked,” Wahlin said. “I said that I would love to wear an ‘A,’ and that that would be unbelievable. He said, “No, I want you to wear the ‘C.’ ”
The move bucked college hockey tradition. Blasi was head coach at Miami University, his alma mater, from 1999 to 2019. How many three-year captains did he have during that span?
None.
“We knew what we had,” Blasi said. “How hard he would work and how receptive he would be. He comes from a good family, and the whole family bought in. … You go through some tough lessons early being captain, but there was no doubt in my mind.”
A pair of upperclassmen, Mack Byers and Luke Manning, were widely looked upon in the locker room as likely candidates before Wahlin was given the “C.” Both were named alternate captains.
“I wouldn’t say we butted heads, but they challenged me — and it was a good challenge,” Wahlin said. “It helped me grow a lot. I look back at those guys and I’m extremely grateful for what they taught me and what they brought on to me.”
St. Thomas junior forward Lucas Wahlin. (Courtesy of the University of St. Thomas)
Blasi wasn’t worried about a little friction, nor was he surprised.
“That’s part of growing as a leader,” he said. “When I took over at Miami, I was 27 and I had two assistants that were a lot older than me. So, I felt like I knew how he felt in that situation. It also made him a better captain.”
Tommies senior center Luc Laylin credits Wahlin for being two types of captains: the one the coaches need him to be, and the one the players need him to be. Said Tommies junior defenseman Chase Cheslock: “He’s the driver of our bus most days. His ability to speak up at the right time is really impressive for his age. His leadership is second to none from what I have seen from a peer.”
Dewey Wahlin, Lucas’ dad, was a right winger at St. Paul Johnson High School who reached the state tournament as a senior in 1984. He was drafted later that year in the ninth round by the North Stars. Dewey played two seasons at the University of Maine before transferring to U.S. International but did not play professionally.
When Lucas committed to the sport, his father was determined to make sure he understood what that commitment entailed.
“It was horrible at the time, but now I’m so grateful,” Wahlin said. “Looking back, I almost wish he was tougher on me. He was a good player, and I wanted to be as good as he was some day. He pushed me to be that one extra, that leader, to be the hardest working guy on the ice every shift, every game, every practice.”
Once Blasi got to know Dewey, it was easy for him to see where Lucas’ approach came from.
“Dewey’s a no-nonsense guy,” Blasi said. “He’s very much like my dad when I was growing up, in that, if Lucas went to his dad and said, ‘What’d you think?’ I’m pretty sure Dewey would say, ‘I think you can play better.’ ”
Paying it forward
Last June, Wahlin was invited to appear on the panel at the Wild’s annual leadership summit, which is aimed at providing insight to young athletes. He was joined by Blasi, among others, as well as Bill Lechner, his coach at Hill-Murray.
“You could see just how mature he is from his answers, how he sees the game now four years after he stepped foot on campus,” Blasi said. “As a coach, as a father, as a mentor, all you want is for your guys to mature and grow and have experiences they can take away for the rest of their lives.”
Wahlin said he was honored to be asked to share his message.
“It was along the lines that everyone can be a leader, even if you’re not wearing a letter,” he said. “You might not be the strongest or the fastest, but you can control how hard you work. And your teammates will follow you.
“And just being that support valve. You never really know what is going through people’s lives. So, it is really important to check up on your brothers. They can build a trust in you, and you can trust them back.”
Wahlin already had proven to be generous with his time for young players, having volunteered to work with youth teams in Woodbury. It’s one of the reasons he selected as the CCHA Student-Athlete of the Year. Academic excellence also is a factor and Wahlin, a business major, has a grade-point average of 3.85 and has made the Dean’s List every semester.
He will graduate with a minor in sports management, with a coaching career likely to follow when his playing days come to an end. Blasi has urged Wahlin focus on the pro career he can attain before thinking about getting behind the bench. Blasi already has placed Wahlin among those destined to be successful in whatever they choose to do.
“Just proud of him and love him,” Blasi said, “and excited for his future.”
One Blasi plans to be a part of.
“I’ve got the date for his wedding in my calendar,” he said.
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