50 Players, 50 Days: Luc Salem
May 20, 2020
Luc Salem tied for 5th among NAHL defensemen with 36 points this past season.
During the current and unforeseen cancelation of the 2019-20 season, the players in the NAHL saw their seasons cut prematurely short. In some cases, players saw their junior hockey careers come to an end as well. However, the NAHL got together a decided to highlight some of those players, who were born in 1999 and were in their final season of playing junior hockey.
As a result, we present a new series entitled: 50 players in 50 days
50 players in 50 days will select 50 players from each of the 26 NAHL teams this past season that were born in 1999, are currently uncommitted, and deserve some recognition during their time spent playing and developing in the NAHL. Over the course of the next 50 days, we will take time out to look at their accomplishments, review their season, and provide some background on their NAHL careers. Players will be initially highlighted in alphabetical order by team. Enjoy!
Luc Salem, Defenseman, Topeka Pilots (now Kansas City Scouts)
Topeka Pilots and NAHL Top Prospects defenseman Luc Salem had a breakout season in 2019-20, becoming one of the top defensemen in the NAHL.
The 5’10/175 lbs. native of Santa Monica, California, and NAPHL grad, put up career numbers this past season, recording 36 points (9 goals, 27 assists) in 52 games played. Salem finished tied for 5th among all NAHL defensemen in scoring in 2019-20.
Salem was honored as the NAHL’s Defenseman of the Month in December, helping his team to a 6-1-1 record during the month and recording nine points in eight games during the month. He was also selected to and played in the 2020 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament for the South Division team.
“Luc was a steady point producer for us all season long. His mobility and poise with the puck contributed to our success offensively. He was counted on in all situations and his confidence soared and he enjoyed a breakthrough season. We are excited to see where he lands next season. Our coaching staff will definitely miss his presence,” said Scouts head coach Simon Watson.
Salem played the 2018-19 season in the NAHL for the Maryland Black Bears, putting up 21 points in 54 games played. For his NAHL career, Salem appeared in 106 career games and had 57 points.
Salem is a NAPHL Ladder of Development product, having played the 2015-16 season with the California Titans 16U team, where he posted 18 points in 25 games played that season.
“Growing up in California, you were used to playing just teams in your area, but playing in the NAPHL opened up a whole new level of competition and it really opened my eyes to the level of exposure and what types of other teams and programs were out there. It really gave me a glimpse of what juniors and the NAHL was going to be like,” said Salem.
