Getting to Know: Mason Lohrei

BostonBruins.com - The Boston Bruins selected defenseman Mason Lohrei with the 58th overall pick on Wednesday afternoon during the second round 2020 NHL Draft.

Last Team: Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
Position: Defenseman
Height: 6 feet, 4 inches
Weight: 200 pounds
Shoots: Left
Birthday: Jan. 17, 2001
Hometown: Verona, Wisconsin
Central Scouting: 132nd-ranked North American skater
"Obviously, it's something you dream about as a little kid," said Lohrei. "It happening today is pretty special. Actually, I was at the rink with all my teammates and my mom and dad were here watching it on the big screen, kind of in the lounge. I read my name and all my teammates went crazy. It's definitely a moment I'll remember for the rest of my life.
Lohrei, who went undrafted last year, said he had several conversations with Bruins representatives in recent months, including a lengthy chat with Don Sweeney that left him feeling confident about getting the call this time around.
"I had a good feeling," said Lohrei. "I was confident but you never know what is going to happen in the draft. Obviously, a dream come true to get picked to the Boston Bruins, an Original Six organization. It's kind of just surreal right now.
"When you see them come up on the board, there's just kind of a little feeling in your stomach and then they start to say, from the Green Bay Gamblers, and it grows a little more and they finally say your name and it's real."
The Wisconsin native said that he did not get discouraged after being passed over last June, instead using it as motivation to elevate his game for his first full campaign with the Gamblers in 2019-20.
"I felt like I was being overlooked but it's the way things go," said Lohrei. "I was never on any of the Central Scouting's until the final one this season. When coaches and scouts get in the rink and they see a player, it's a whole lot different. You get to meet them and they get a feel for who you are as a person and what your game is like.
"I wouldn't say it was a struggle not being on lists or not getting drafted. Kind of just kept my head down and went to work every day because I knew that this would come. And here we are. I couldn't be happier."

Miscellaneous: The big-bodied blueliner, known for his strong puck skills and offensive ability, is entering his third season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. In 2019-20, Lohrei notched eight goals and 37 points in 48 games. Before the Gamblers, Lohrei played for Culver Military Academy, collecting 49 points in 88 games. He attended the Vegas Golden Knights Development Camp in 2019.
The 19-year-old is committed to Ohio State University for the 2021-22 season.
"I'd consider myself a two-way defenseman, pretty skilled," said Lohrei. "I take a lot of pride in how I defend, how I defend the rush, how I defend in my own zone, shutting things down and making good breakout passes to the forwards. But then once that happens, then the fun stuff begins.
"I get to jump up in the play and get pucks back, use my skill. I see myself as - I can play in all situations. Five-on-five, power play, penalty kill, stuff like that. Start games, finish games. I think I'm just a pretty simple player overall. I like to try to control the game when I'm out there, and when I have the puck."
Lohrei pointed to his physical play as an area for improvement as his body continues to fill out.
"I've been getting bigger and stronger," said Lohrei. "I've been pretty raw my whole life and now starting to fill out and things are coming together. Definitely just that physical side of the game, being able to throw hits and separate bodies from the puck and then that's just going to help with everything else. Definitely that physicality."