Photo: Iowa Wild / Sandeen Photography
BINGHAMTON, NY – The New Jersey Devils announced that the club has acquired forwards Christoph Bertschy and Mario Lucia from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman Viktor Loov. All players involved will report to their team’s American Hockey League affiliate. The announcement was made by New Jersey Devils Executive Vice President/General Manager & Alternate Governor Ray Shero.
Bertschy, 23, has 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 45 games this season with the Iowa Wild. Last season with Iowa, the Switzerland native put up 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 67 games. Overall, Bertschy has 30 goals and 46 assists for 76 points in 184 career AHL games. The forward has appeared in nine National Hockey League games for Minnesota and has one assist. Bertschy was drafted in the sixth round (158th overall) in 2012 by Minnesota and in 2014-15, won the Swiss Cup with SC Bern.
Lucia, 24, is in his third season with Iowa and has 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 40 games during the 2017-18 season. A native of Fairbanks, Alaska, Lucia has recorded 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 93 career AHL games with the Wild. Prior to his professional career, Lucia spent four years at University of Notre Dame where he tallied 61 goals and 49 assists for 110 points in 151 collegiate games. In 2012-13, Lucia was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team, captured the CCHA Championship with the Fighting Irish, and won Gold Medal for the United States at the U20 World Junior Championship. Lucia was a second-round draft pick (60th overall) by Minnesota in 2011.
The Binghamton Devils start a three-game road trip this Saturday and Sunday in Toronto at 4 p.m. before returning home next Saturday, February 17 against Rochester for Heart Cup Night. Fans can come early and watch Police and Fire Departments battle it out on the ice. For more information, call the Devils’ front office at 607-722-7367 for more information.
