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Hab's Luciani Finds Home in Lakeshore

It was a tough choice for Christian Luciani when it came time to decide where he wanted play hockey in 2018-19, but at the end of the day the Lakeshore Canadiens were the team he picked and worked hard to prove he could be the player they needed and wanted.

The Canadiens, coming off a successful year that saw them capture the 2017-18 Stobbs Division Championship, would find them self depleted losing some key veterans as the 2018-19 late summer training camp rolled around.

Veterans such as defenseman Michael Long were gone, leaving a huge void at defense, which also included a rushing forward style who at times was like a fourth forward.

“I saw him play and like that style of play and consider my style to be similar,” admits Luciani, who just turned 17-years old.

The Lakeshore native, who lives at home with his family, mother, Christine, and sister, Madeline, considers himself a solid two-way player more than just a stay at home defenseman.

“I enjoy leading the rush from as deep as behind my own net. Creating the breakout and being able to setup the play ending up eventually in our components end,” says Luciani, current grade 12 student at St. Anne’s Secondary School.

When asked about this style of play he quickly points to P.K. Subban of the Nashville Predators and credits him for the inspiration to want to play this way.

Luciani was born in May 14, 2001 in Windsor. The son of Dr. Lee Luciani, who unexpectedly passed away back on December 13, 2016.

“It was a shock and blow to our family obviously,” says Luciani, who plans to study Biology at the University level and possibly pursue a similar career to his late father.

“I wish he was around to see me play at this level.”

Luciani started his hockey career playing 5 years in Tecumseh Minor Hockey Association splitting his time between some house league as well as travel teams.

Before making the jump to junior hockey, Luciani’s biggest success was back in 2017 playing AAA Windsor Junior Spitfires where he scored 8 goals as a defenseman with the team.

He was scouted and earned a tryout with Junior B- La Salle Vipers, but fell short of making the team this past fall coming close and hoping to get back to that level again next year.

“It’s a very competitive level of hockey once you get to Junior B,” admits Luciani. ‘but there’s also bigger demands you need to consider like travel and how its effects schooling and family life.”

Once the Vipers opportunity was gone, he had decision to make. It’s no secret many teams were calling from the Junior C level, including the Essex 73s, who really wanted Luciani to come their way and wear the orange and black.

“It was a tough decision to be honest,” says Luciani. “I know the team history there and the opportunity. But I also felt very comfortable with what I was offered here in Lakeshore. Its also a class organization from top to bottom and I know I made the right choice for me personally. I’m close to home. I have a lot of friends here as well, which helps to be integrated on any new team. I love it here.”

Luciani suffered a minor concussion just weeks into the new season but has recovered and back on the ice for the Habs hoping to continue those ends to end rushes, Suban style, in hope of leading the Canadiens back to the finals again this year.