Boys U18/Prep Ice Hockey 2/13/2024 3:24:00 PM

Lohrei ’19 shows growth in the NHL

Alysha May | Sports Information Specialist

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Mason Lohrei '19 stands out not only for his continued growth as an NHL defenseman but also for the growth he has displayed since his days at Culver Academies.

His story is not just one of success but also of navigating the challenges that come with being a young player bouncing between the NHL and AHL.

"The biggest thing is to take things day by day. That's kind of what I've been trying to do," Lohrei said. "It's because you never know what the next thing holds. I am focusing on myself and just making the most out of each day and trying to get better and learn the best I can no matter where I am."

Lohrei said it's a situation a lot of young players face coming into the league. At age 23, he is one of the youngest players for the Boston Bruins this season.

"To be young and to be experiencing some of the things that I am, and the way we're treated and having the platform that we do at a younger age, it's pretty cool, and I feel really fortunate to be in the position that I'm in," he said.

Reflecting on his time at Culver Academies, Lohrei not only honed his hockey skills but also embedded life lessons from his coaches.

"I think the biggest thing is the details. Both coaches, coach (Steve) Palmer and coach (Rene) Chapdelaine were so detail-oriented," Lohrei said. "With every day at Culver, showing up to the rink to get better and focus on all the little things, and I have done the little things, and I think that's definitely helped me improve the player I am."

Lohrei '19 vs Chicago Young Americans

Lohrei said Palmer and Chapdelaine are still his go-to's.

"I talk with coach Palmer a lot, even today about the ways to improve my game and little things like that, and the mental side, to just going through it. Everything's new, the ups and downs, but those are both guys that I trust a lot. They hold a special place in my heart," he said.

Lohrei went on to play with the USHL Green Bay Gamblers and at Ohio State University and was selected in the second round of the 2020 NHL draft with the 58th overall pick, which was a pivotal moment in his life.

"Obviously your whole life you dream of getting drafted in the NHL, but it was a cool moment. I was with my family and all my teammates with the junior team in Green Bay that I was with," Lohrei said.

The draft was held online because of COVID.

"It was definitely still a special moment that I'll remember forever," he said.

Lohrei's first full pro season was to play with the Providence Bruins in 2023, until not even a month in he was called up to Boston.

It was on Nov. 2 that Lohrei made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins in a 3-2 shootout win over Toronto, ending the night with one assist.

"When I got my first call up, I was kind of just told, 'Yeah you're going to play in your first game.' I can't even explain the feeling, it's so surreal because of everything that I've done to get me to this point," Lohrei said. "It's pretty cool for me and my family and close friends. I actually had a lot of old Culver friends and teammates come to my first game and we all got dinner afterward with my family, so it was definitely a special night."

Lohrei said he has spent every summer in Culver since graduating, but this year could be a little tougher since he must be in Boston for training.

"Last summer I was back for three or four weeks, and I trained with coach Palmer at the rink, worked out and got out on the lake," he said. "I'm probably going to miss my five years this year. It'll be cool to get back for that, but we're probably going to be in the playoffs…so I hope I'm not back," he amusingly said.

As Lohrei is still back and forth between both leagues, he stands as a testament to the transformative impact of dedication, gratitude and growth.

"I'm definitely still fortunate to be the guy that gets to be up in the NHL a good amount," he said.

From Culver to the NHL, Lohrei is grateful for his time and experience in high school, and how the Academies helped shape who he is today.

"I think going to Culver was probably the best decision I could have made in terms of being somewhere that I could really focus on my goals and be around other driven kids and adults, and people that are there to help. It was just such a great situation for me to improve as a person and a hockey player," he said.

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