Chaz and Cruz Lucius verbally commit to Minnesota

Minnesota picked up a pair of verbal commitments Thursday (August 31, 2017) from Blaine, MN brothers Chaz and Cruz Lucius, The Gopher Hockey Blog can confirm.

Congratulations to Chaz and Cruz Lucius on committing to play DI hockey at the University of Minnesota! #GoGophers @GopherHockey pic.twitter.com/SMDuYKodAL

— Gentry Academy (@gentry_academy) August 31, 2017

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Landed two big ones today! Welcome to the #Gophers! #PrideOnIce pic.twitter.com/KAOiaYyBBo

— Scott Bell (@MNCoachBell) August 31, 2017

(Side note: I'm taking delight in the fact Scott Bell seems to be the first member of the Gopher hockey coaching staff to enjoy utilizing Twitter.)

A month after Jake Ratzlaff became the first 2002-born player to verbally commit to the Gophers, Don Lucia and company are moving past that barrier. Chaz is born in 2003. Cruz is even younger, born in 2004, while playing up on the 2003 Minnesota Blades. At 13, Cruz is the third-ever to commit to a men's D1 hockey program at that age.

By committing now, the two, both forwards who have been dominant at younger levels, become two of the youngest in Minnesota history. The Gophers had two players commit before turning 15 prior to the Lucius brothers.

Currently there is only one person throughout college hockey even born in 2003 with a men's hockey verbal commitment. Red Savage did so earlier this month after he joined his two older brothers in choosing Miami.