Lucas Lemieux commits to RPI
RPI adds another big '05 defenseman to the pipeline
Last month, we took a look at Landen Hilditch and style of play after he announced his commitment to RPI. A tall, ‘05 defenseman with a solid defensive game.
Lucas Lemieux, in many ways, fits a very similar profile. He’s a big presence on the blueline for Camrose in the Alberta league, using his long reach to poke-check effectively and win puck battles, and from time to time, will fly up through the neutral zone with the puck to start an attack.
One NZ scout described him as a “safe, efficient defenseman that plays a reliable game and doesn’t look to take too many chances.” They continued: “Lucas is able to ride guys out along the wall to dispossess them using his long stick to get on pucks quickly. He takes away time and space with his reach and pressures puck carriers from distance.”
He plays in all situations - currently averaging about 19 minutes a game in total with around five minutes of that split between the powerplay and penalty kill. He’s third among defensemen on his team in points (19) , scoring chances (4), and xG created (4.1). And he only just turned 17.
All-in-all, I think Lemieux will be an interesting guy to keep an eye on going forward. Like Hilditch, he clearly has the defensive ability. He excels at reaching in and poking pucks away, whether it be from an oncoming attacker on a rush, or in a scrum behind the net. He can sometimes get caught a little flat-footed against some of the really fast skaters, but even that is more of an exception, and not the rule.
He’s also shown the offensive upside. He led his U18 league in scoring among defensemen last season, and scored at a good rate this year, especially while still being on the younger end.
We’re currently projecting Lemieux to enroll in the 2025-26 season giving him two more years in juniors to continue developing. Congrats again to Lucas and his family!