Mason Lohrei Bio
Mason Lohrei is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 218 pounds, the left-shooting blueliner has become a regular in the Bruins lineup since his NHL debut in late 2023. He is the first player in NHL history to have been born in the state of Louisiana, a unique distinction that ties his professional career to his childhood roots in the American South.
Before reaching the NHL, Lohrei played college ice hockey at Ohio State University, where he developed into a high-scoring defenseman and earned All-Big Ten Freshman recognition. Selected 58th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, he signed with the organization in 2023 and quickly worked his way from the American Hockey League affiliate in Providence into Boston’s defensive rotation.
Early Life and Background
Mason Lohrei was born on January 17, 2001, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where his father, David, was serving as head coach of the East Coast Hockey League’s Baton Rouge Kingfish. Growing up around a coaching household meant he had constant exposure to the sport from a very young age. His early childhood was shaped by moves first to Pennsylvania and later to Wisconsin, where he spent most of his formative years and developed his love for hockey.
He attended Middleton High School in Middleton, Wisconsin, before transferring after his freshman year to Culver Academies in Culver, Indiana, a well-known prep program that has produced several professional players. As a sophomore at Culver, Lohrei made the important decision to switch from forward to defense in order to secure more playing time and expand his role on the team. The move proved pivotal for his future, as his size and skating ability translated naturally to the blue line.
Path to Hockey
Lohrei’s path to the professional ranks ran through the United States National Team Development Program and one of the strongest collegiate conferences in the country. After committing to Ohio State University, he joined the Buckeyes for the 2021–22 season and immediately emerged as a top offensive defenseman, leading the team with 25 assists and earning a spot on the All-Big Ten Freshman Team.
He returned to Ohio State for the 2022–23 campaign and continued to produce, finishing second on the team in assists with 28 and third in total points with 32. The Buckeyes reached the NCAA tournament that year but were eliminated in the second round by the eventual national champion Quinnipiac Bobcats. Despite the early postseason exit, his strong two-year college resume made him ready for the next step.
Mason Lohrei Career
Early Career (2023)
On March 31, 2023, the Providence Bruins announced that they had signed Lohrei to an amateur tryout contract for the remainder of the 2022–23 season, bringing his collegiate career to an early close. He appeared in five regular season games with the Providence club, recording one assist, and also suited up for three AHL playoff games before the team was eliminated by the Hartford Wolf Pack. The brief stint gave him a first look at professional hockey and helped set the stage for a full-time role the following year.
NHL Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Lohrei began the 2023–24 season with Providence, but he did not stay in the AHL for long. After injuries thinned the Bruins’ defensive group, he was called up to Boston and made his NHL debut on November 2, 2023, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, picking up his first NHL point, an assist on a Pavel Zacha goal, in that same contest. With that appearance, he became the first NHL player born in the state of Louisiana, an unusual piece of hockey trivia that quickly followed him throughout his rookie year. He scored his first NHL goal a few games later, on November 6, 2023, against the Dallas Stars.
His first NHL stint impressed the coaching staff, although he was sent back down to Providence on November 25, 2023, following the return of defenseman Matt Grzelcyk. He rejoined the Bruins on December 7, 2023, and stayed with the big club until January 20, 2024, when Derek Forbort’s return again pushed him out of the lineup. After another recall on February 21, 2024, he delivered one of his strongest showings of the season, notching three assists against the Edmonton Oilers. Later that spring, he was brought back for the playoffs, debuting in Game 3 of the first round against Toronto and picking up his first playoff point in Game 4 on an assist to James van Riemsdyk. After Boston eliminated the Maple Leafs in seven games, Lohrei scored his first NHL playoff goal in Game 1 of the second round against the Florida Panthers.
Boston Bruins Era (2024–2025)
Lohrei entered the 2024–25 season hoping to build on his rookie experience and was named to the Bruins’ opening night roster. After a difficult first game against the Florida Panthers in which he was on the ice for three goals against, he bounced back with a three-game point streak featuring a goal and three assists. He continued to produce offensively, including eight assists in December and two goals and five assists in January, even as the Bruins began a transitional stretch.
Following the NHL trade deadline, when the Bruins parted ways with several veterans including defenseman Brandon Carlo, and with top blue liners Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm both sidelined by injuries, Lohrei was thrust into a much larger role. The added responsibility allowed him to develop his defensive game in difficult circumstances, though the team’s struggles were reflected in his own statistics. He finished the season with five goals and 28 assists in 77 games and carried the lowest plus-minus rating in the NHL at minus-43.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the ice, Lohrei is recognized for his tall frame, smooth skating, and willingness to join the rush from the back end. His offensive instincts, refined during his time at Ohio State, allow him to contribute as a fourth-attacking defenseman, while his length makes him effective in retrieving pucks along the boards and breaking up opposing cycles. As he matures, the Bruins coaching staff has emphasized the need for steadier defensive-zone decisions, a key part of his ongoing development.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Lohrei’s young career was his NHL debut against Toronto, which made him the first player from Louisiana to appear in an NHL game. His first NHL goal against Dallas just four days later, his three-assist night against Edmonton, and his first playoff goal against Florida are all signature milestones. Internationally, he was named to the United States team for the 2025 IIHF World Championship and helped Team USA capture its first gold medal since 1933.
Mason Lohrei Career Wins
Across his time at Ohio State, in the AHL with Providence, and in the NHL with the Bruins, Mason Lohrei has built a steady resume as a productive defenseman rather than a high-volume goal scorer. His offensive numbers in college and his assist totals in the NHL reflect the modern role of an attacking defenseman, while his NHL goal totals continue to grow with each season.
NHL Highlights
In the NHL, Lohrei has registered five goals and 28 assists over 77 games during the 2024–25 regular season, his first full year in the league. He opened his NHL account with a goal against Dallas on November 6, 2023, and later produced a three-assist performance against Edmonton on February 21, 2024. His first playoff goal came in Game 1 of the 2024 second-round series against the Florida Panthers.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Lohrei led Ohio State with 25 assists in his freshman season and finished with 28 assists in his sophomore year. He also represented the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, appearing in five games with a goal and two assists as Team USA won gold for the first time since 1933. The following spring, he rejoined the U.S. squad for the 2026 IIHF World Championship, where he went scoreless in eight games as the Americans were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Mason Lohrei Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hockey runs deep in Mason Lohrei’s family. His father, David Lohrei, served as head coach of the ECHL’s Baton Rouge Kingfish around the time of Mason’s birth, giving him a direct link to the coaching side of the sport. Growing up in a hockey household meant constant exposure to the game as both a player and a student of the sport.
Personal Life
Public details about Lohrei’s personal life are limited, and he has largely kept his focus on his professional career since joining the Bruins. As of the most recent available information, he is not publicly known to be married and does not have confirmed personal-life announcements beyond his playing commitments with Boston.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marked a turning point for Mason Lohrei at the NHL level. He opened 2025 still establishing himself on the Bruins’ blue line, carrying the offensive momentum he had built in the second half of his rookie season. The midseason stretch saw him take on a much larger defensive role after the trade deadline, when Boston parted with veteran defensemen and lost Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm to injuries.
Shortly after the NHL season concluded, Lohrei received his first international call-up, being named to the United States roster for the 2025 IIHF World Championship on April 24, 2025. He appeared in five games, scored a goal and two assists, and helped Team USA capture its first gold medal since 1933. On June 23, 2025, he signed a two-year, $6.4 million contract extension with the Bruins, solidifying his place in the organization’s long-term plans.
