The Kalamazoo Wings have traded defenceman Luc Salem to the Utah Grizzlies in exchange for future considerations. Salem, 26, is heading back to Utah after playing in two games during the 2023-24 season. In 66 games last season with the Indy Fuel and Kalamazoo Wings, he put up six goals and 17 assists for 23 points. He becomes the seventh defenseman to join the Grizzlies roster for the 2025-26 season.
The Los Angeles, California, native began his junior career during the 2017-18 season in the AJHL, where he put up three assists in eight games with the Brooks Bandits. He finished the season in the BCHL, where he put up a goal and 12 assists for 13 points in 45 games with the Prince George Spruce Kings and Alberni Valley Bulldogs. He would play in seven BCHL Playoff Games with the Bulldogs. Salem would spend the next two seasons in the NAHL. In 54 games with the Maryland Black Bears, he put up two goals and 19 assists for 21 points. Salem had a breakout year in 2019-20 with the Topeka Pilots, putting up nine goals and 27 assists for 36 points in 52 games. He led all Pilot defensivemen in goals, points, and assists.
NCAA Career
Once his junior career was finished, he would spend four years at the NCAA level with St. Lawrence University. In his first season with the Saints, he put up three goals and seven assists for 10 points in 17 games as the Saints won the ECAC Championship. Salem would end up being named to the ECAC All-Rookie Team as well. His best season came in 2022-23, where he had 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points in 36 games. Salem would lead the Saints that season in all offensive categories. He finished his NCAA career with 18 goals and 37 assists for 55 points in 128 games. During his last season at St. Lawrence, he would serve as the team captain.
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