Forget Mario Lucia's sandy blond hair and the similarities are obvious. Mario not only looks like his father, Don, but also the two share similar personalities and priorities. One is obviously hockey.
Don Lucia coaches the top-ranked team in men's college hockey, and Mario is a Notre Dame hockey standout and a Wild second-round NHL draft pick. Their teams will face off this weekend in South Bend, Ind., when the Gophers meet the No. 4-ranked Irish in a nonconference series.
Away from the rink, the father and son tend to avoid hockey talk. Don's goal is simply to be a dad. Mario said he appreciates the relationship boundaries as he works to create his own identity at Notre Dame.
"It's kind of nice being a dad instead of coach. I've been on both sides of it," said Don Lucia, who coached his older son, Tony, at Minnesota. "We truly do try to keep the relationship more father-son, not a coaching situation. I want to try and be there for support as much as I can."
The 502 miles separating Minneapolis and South Bend haven't hindered the father from providing regular support. Most nights Mario and his parents see one another through their smartphones.
The topics they discuss include school, girls and upcoming tests. Mario said there is hardly any mention of hockey.
That doesn't mean the passion that drives Don's coaching doesn't make an occasional appearance. Mario said his dad is sometimes disappointed with a bad grade and will excuse himself from the conversation.
Mario, 20, knows such reactions are, and is used to hearing more encouragement than disappointment.