Mason Lohrei Bio
Mason Lohrei is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 17, 2001, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lohrei made NHL history as the first player in league history to have been born in the state of Louisiana. He previously played college ice hockey for Ohio State University before beginning his professional career in 2023. The Boston Bruins selected Lohrei in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft with the 58th overall pick.
Early Life and Background
Mason Lohrei was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, while his father, David Lohrei, served as head coach of the East Coast Hockey League’s Baton Rouge Kingfish. The family relocated as a child, first moving to Pennsylvania before settling in Wisconsin, where Mason grew up. He attended Middleton High School in Middleton, Wisconsin, during his freshman year before transferring to Culver Academies in Culver, Indiana.
During his sophomore year at Culver Academies, Lohrei made a pivotal decision that would shape his future career. Originally playing as a forward, he switched to the defenseman position to secure more playing time. This position change proved instrumental in his development as a player and ultimately led him toward his collegiate and professional career.
Path to Professional Hockey
Lohrei committed to playing college ice hockey for Ohio State University, joining the Buckeyes for the 2021-22 season. His first collegiate season was remarkable, as he led the team with 25 assists and earned a place on the All-Big Ten Freshman Team. His immediate impact demonstrated his ability to contribute offensively from the blue line.
For the 2022-23 season, Lohrei returned to Ohio State and continued his strong play. He finished second on the team in assists with 28 and third in total points with 32. The Buckeyes advanced to the NCAA tournament that year but were eliminated in the second round by the eventual champion Quinnipiac Bobcats. His two seasons at Ohio State established him as one of the top collegiate defensemen in the country.
Mason Lohrei Career
Professional Debut (2023)
On March 31, 2023, the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League (AHL) announced that they had signed Lohrei to an amateur tryout contract for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. He played five regular season games with Providence, recording one assist, and appeared in three playoff games before the team was eliminated by the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Boston Bruins Breakthrough (2023-Present)
Lohrei began the 2023-24 season with Providence but did not stay long. Due to injuries in the Bruins defensive corps, he received a call-up to the NHL and made his debut on November 2, 2023, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In that game, he recorded his first NHL point, an assist on a goal by Pavel Zacha. With his debut, Lohrei became the first player in NHL history born in the state of Louisiana.
He scored his first NHL goal just days later, finding the net against the Dallas Stars on November 6, 2023. Lohrei impressed during his initial NHL stint but was reassigned to Providence on November 25, 2023, following Matt Grzelcyk’s injury recovery. He returned to Boston on December 7, 2023, and remained with the team until January 20, 2024, when Derek Forbort was cleared to play.
Upon his return to the NHL on February 21, 2024, Lohrei recorded three assists against the Edmonton Oilers. He was sent back down to Providence on April 12, 2024, but was recalled on April 23, 2024, for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He made his playoff debut in Game 3 of the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs and scored his first playoff point, an assist on James van Riemsdyk’s goal, in the following game. After Boston eliminated Toronto in seven games, Lohrei scored his first NHL playoff goal in Game 1 of the second round against the Florida Panthers.
Boston Bruins Era (2024-Present)
Lohrei entered the 2024-25 season on Boston’s opening night roster. After a difficult season opener where he was on the ice for three Florida Panthers goals in a 6-4 loss, he quickly adjusted and produced a three-game point streak with one goal and three assists. Though he found offensive success throughout the season, including eight assists in December and seven points in January, he struggled defensively at times, resulting in a team-low plus/minus rating.
Following the NHL trade deadline, which saw the Bruins deal away key players including defenseman Brandon Carlo, and with Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm injured, Lohrei inherited increased defensive responsibilities on a struggling team. The experience allowed him to develop his game despite the challenging circumstances. He finished the 2024-25 season with five goals and 28 assists in 77 games.
On June 23, 2025, as an impending restricted free agent, Lohrei signed a two-year, $6.4 million extension with the Bruins, securing his future with the organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lohrei is known for his offensive instincts from the blue line, demonstrating strong puck-moving ability and playmaking skills. His 6-foot-5 frame provides him with reach and physical presence, while his left-handed shot adds versatility to the Bruins defense. His transition game and ability to contribute to the offense have been standout features throughout his career, though he has continued developing his defensive-zone coverage and positioning to become a more complete two-way defenseman.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lohrei’s career has been marked by historic firsts. Becoming the first NHL player born in Louisiana was a significant milestone, breaking ground for future players from the state. His rapid ascent from college hockey to the NHL, including scoring his first professional goal within days of his debut, demonstrated his readiness for the highest level. His playoff contributions, including scoring his first postseason goal against Florida during Boston’s run, added to his growing list of accomplishments.
Mason Lohrei Career Statistics
Throughout his professional career, Lohrei has demonstrated consistent offensive production from the defenseman position, compiling his first full NHL seasons while continuing to develop his all-around game.
NHL Highlights
Lohrei made his NHL debut on November 2, 2023, against the Toronto Maple Leafs and scored his first career goal on November 6, 2023, against the Dallas Stars. In his rookie season spanning portions of 2023-24 and 2024-25, he appeared in 77 games, recording five goals and 28 assists for 33 points. He added playoff experience during the 2024 postseason, contributing to Boston’s run to the second round.
International Competition
On April 24, 2025, following the Bruins’ season, Lohrei was named to the United States national team for the 2025 IIHF World Championship. It marked his first international competition representing the United States. He appeared in five games, scoring one goal and two assists, and helped Team USA capture the gold medal, the country’s first since 1933. He returned to international competition at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, appearing in eight games as the United States was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
College Career
During his two seasons at Ohio State University, Lohrei established himself as one of the Big Ten Conference’s top young defensemen. In his freshman year, he led the Buckeyes with 25 assists and earned All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors. He followed with a 32-point season in 2022-23, ranking third on the team in scoring while serving as a key contributor on the blue line.
Mason Lohrei Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Lohrei comes from a hockey family, with his father, David Lohrei, having played and coached professionally. David served as head coach of the ECHL’s Baton Rouge Kingfish during Mason’s birth, which explains how Mason became the first Louisiana-born player in NHL history. The family moved multiple times during Mason’s childhood due to his father’s coaching career, eventually settling in Wisconsin where Mason developed his game.
Personal Life
Lohrei continues to represent the groundbreaking legacy of being the first NHL player born in Louisiana. His hockey journey from Baton Rouge through Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, and now Boston has been marked by adaptation and growth. He remains active on social media, sharing glimpses of his professional career with fans.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 season represented Lohrei’s first full campaign with the Boston Bruins organization. After a rocky start that saw him struggle in the season opener against Florida, he demonstrated resilience by posting a three-game point streak immediately afterward. Despite offensive contributions including multi-point performances throughout the winter months, Lohrei faced challenges in his own end that resulted in a difficult plus/minus differential for the season.
With the Bruins undergoing a transition following the trade deadline and battling significant injuries to key defensemen, Lohrei was thrust into a larger role than originally anticipated. This experience, while challenging, provided valuable development opportunities for the young defenseman. He finished the season having appeared in 77 games, establishing himself as a regular contributor on Boston’s blue line.
Looking ahead, Lohrei signed a two-year contract extension in June 2025, securing his place with the Bruins franchise. His international success with Team USA at the 2025 World Championship, where he helped the United States win gold for the first time in over 90 years, added another achievement to his growing resume. The combination of his offensive skills, size, and hockey IQ suggests he will continue being a key part of Boston’s defensive core as he enters his third professional season.