**photo above via the site of the University of St. Thomas – TommieSports.com and taken by Nick Wosika**
The True North organization dipped into the undrafted free agent pool resulting from the conclusion of the NCAA hockey season (at least for the non-playoff teams). This time GM Kevin Cheveldayoff inked a 24 yr forward from the University of St. Thomas named Lucas Wahlin.
The Minnesota-born winger signed a one year contract with the Winnipeg Jets, starting in the 2026-27 NHL season, but the right handed forward has agreed to a Amateur Try Out with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose for the remainder of their campaign. Like many other undrafted free agents the Jets have signed before him, Wahlin was the captain of his NCAA hockey squad and has scored at a point per game pace his last two seasons.
Here is his career stats, via Elite Prospects:
The 6′ 180 lb winger will hopefully provide a bit of a boost to the Moose, as they fight for playoff positioning with 13 games left in the regular season. Manitoba has fallen into 4th place due to a 2 game skid and will be visiting the Toronto Marlies this evening. Probably too quick to get Lucas into his first AHL game, so he might have to wait for Friday’s game versus the Belleville Senators.
Obviously not a game changing signing, but a one year commitment on a 2 way contract is never going to hurt a team. I am guessing any NHL potential would be in a bottom six role and would probably be considered a long shot….but he could help make the Manitoba Moose better in the short-term like other such signings did (Cole Maier, Wyatt Bongiovanni, etc).
Wahlin is coming off winning the Defensive Forward of the Year award….so he should bring responsible 2 way play to Manitoba. Welcome to the Winnipeg Jets organization Lucas!!!