Jarid Lukosevicius, one of the best clutch goal scorers in Denver’s illustrious hockey history, signed with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League on Monday.

The senior forward, who signed an amateur tryout offer (ATO) for the rest of the season and a two-year contract beginning this fall with the top farm club of the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings also signed DU freshman goaltender Filip Larsson to a three-year entry-level contract on Monday.

Lukosevicius will be eligible to play for the Griffins in the Calder Cup playoffs, which begin Friday with Game 1 of a best-of-5 series against the Chicago Wolves.

Lukosevicius finished a magnificent four-year career as the Pioneers’ all-time leader in game-winning goals (20) – none bigger than the one he scored against Minnesota Duluth in the NCAA championship game in 2017. His third goal in that game catapulted the Pioneers to their eighth national championship.

A prolific goal scorer, Lukosevicius netted 62 for DU, including 40 during the past two seasons. His 105 points are tied for 80th on DU’s all-time scoring list.

He is a player who improved every season in Denver, something he and his coaches and peers discussed with Magness Mayhem earlier this season. With the departure of 10 players from last season’s team, as well as coach Jim Montgomery, Lukosevicius took on a much more active – and vocal – leadership role with the Pioneers this season and was rewarded with an alternate captain’s “A”.

“Jarid has given so much to the University of Denver and our hockey program,” coach David Carle said in a news release. “We are so proud of the player and person he has become and we wish him all the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his hockey career. He leaves Denver with his degree and has left a lasting impact on his teammates, coaches and our hockey program.”

Lukosevicius also brought more than his share of levity to interviews and to the locker room. He coined the nickname “American Hero” for his former roommate, Troy Terry, after Terry’s World Junior Championship shootout heroics in 2017.

He will join Terry and three other players from his freshman class (Dylan Gambrell, Blake Hillman and Logan O’Connor) in pro hockey.

He took time before this season’s NCAA playoffs, which resulted in DU reaching the Frozen Four for the third time in Lukosevicius’ four seasons, to speak with us about his development as a player at DU.

©First Line Editorial 2019