Following his freshman season with Minnesota, Lucius concluded his collegiate career by signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets on April 27, 2022.
[2] Lucius began his professional career with the Jets AHL affiliate Manitoba Moose recording 5 points (2 goals and 3 assists) in 12 games.
After returning from the World juniors, on January 9 Lucius was assigned to play major junior hockey for the remainder of the 2022-23 season with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL) - he was originally selected by the Winterhawks in the 2018 WHL draft (4th round; 74th overall).
During the tournament he recorded five goals and two assists in seven games and won a bronze medal.
Cruz plays as a winger for the Arizona State Sun Devils of the NCAA; he was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2022 and currently is an unsigned Pittsburgh Penguins prospect following a trade between the two teams.