Milan Lucic facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Milan Lucic
Lucic with the Calgary Flames in October 2021
Born	(1988-06-07) June 7, 1988 (age 37) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	236 lb (107 kg; 16 st 12 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Right
NHL team Former teams	Free agent Boston Bruins Los Angeles Kings Edmonton Oilers Calgary Flames
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	50th overall, 2006 Boston Bruins
Playing career	2007–present

Milan Lucic (born June 7, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is currently a free agent, meaning he can sign with any team. He last played for the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Before joining the NHL, Milan played for the Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for three seasons. He helped his team win the Memorial Cup in 2007 and was named the tournament's most valuable player. The Boston Bruins picked him 50th overall in the 2006 NHL draft. He joined the Bruins when he was just 19 years old in the 2007–08 season.

Three years later, he won the famous Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011. He played for Boston for eight seasons. After that, he played for the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames. Milan also played for the Canadian junior team as captain in 2007. He is known for his strong, physical style of play.

About Milan Lucic

Growing Up in Vancouver

Milan Lucic was born in East Vancouver, Canada. His parents, Dobro and Snežana, came to Canada from Serbia. He has two brothers, Nikola and Jovan. His uncle, Dan Kesa, also played in the NHL as a right winger.

When he was 15, Milan was diagnosed with Scheuermann's disease. This condition can make the upper back curve a bit. Milan was a big fan of the Vancouver Canucks hockey team. He looked up to player Todd Bertuzzi.

Starting in Hockey

Milan played minor hockey in Vancouver. He almost stopped playing after not being picked in the 2003 WHL draft. He was invited to play for the Coquitlam Express, a junior team. He didn't make the team at first, which was tough for him. But he kept working hard and later joined the Express.

Playing Career

Junior Hockey Success

Lucic's banner in the Giants' Ring of Honour

Milan started his junior career with the Coquitlam Express in 2004–05. He also played a few games for his hometown team, the Vancouver Giants in the WHL. He joined the Giants full-time in the 2005–06 season. He scored 19 points in 62 games. He helped the Giants win the WHL title and play in the 2006 Memorial Cup.

After that season, the Boston Bruins picked him in the 2006 NHL draft. The Bruins were happy to get him. In the 2006–07 season, Milan became a leader for the Giants. He scored 68 points in 70 games. The Giants lost the WHL Finals but still played in the 2007 Memorial Cup as the host team.

Milan and the Giants won the Memorial Cup, beating the Medicine Hat Tigers. Milan helped set up the winning goal. He was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP). Years later, in 2011, the Vancouver Giants honored Milan. They added him to their Ring of Honour, which celebrates the team's best players. Fans also voted him the team's best player ever.

Joining the Boston Bruins (2007–2015)

Lucic with the Bruins in January 2008

Milan signed his first NHL contract with the Bruins in August 2007. He made the Bruins' team right out of training camp. His first NHL game was on October 5, 2007. He scored his first goal a week later against the Los Angeles Kings. In that game, he also had an assist and a fight, which is called a "Gordie Howe hat trick."

The Bruins decided to keep Milan in the NHL because he showed a lot of toughness. He was chosen to play in the 2008 NHL YoungStars Game. He finished his first season with 8 goals and 27 points. Bruins fans voted him the team's "Seventh Player Award" for doing better than expected. He scored his first playoff goal in April 2008.

In the 2008–09 season, Milan scored his first NHL hat-trick. This happened on October 25, 2008, against the Atlanta Thrashers. His Memorial Cup ring was stolen from his home that year. The Vancouver Giants gave him a new one before a game against the Canucks. Milan was chosen for his second YoungStars Game in 2009 but couldn't play due to an injury. He finished his second season with 17 goals and 42 points.

Milan signed a new three-year contract with the Bruins in October 2009. He had some injuries that season, including a broken finger and a sprained ankle. These injuries limited him to 50 games. He scored 9 goals and 20 points. In the playoffs, the Bruins lost after being up 3-0 in the series.

Lucic celebrates with the Stanley Cup following the Bruins' game 7 win against the Vancouver Canucks in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals.

In the 2010–11 season, Milan scored a "natural hat-trick" against the Florida Panthers. He had a great season, scoring a career-high 30 goals, 32 assists, and 62 points. He led the Bruins in goals. The Bruins made it to the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals against the Vancouver Canucks. Milan helped the Bruins win their first Stanley Cup since 1972. He played through some injuries during the playoffs, including a broken toe and a sinus infection.

In August 2011, Milan had his day with the Stanley Cup in Vancouver. He kept the celebration private because of the riots that happened after the Canucks lost the Finals. He brought the trophy to his church and on a boat cruise with friends and family. He also took it to Grouse Mountain.

In the 2011–12 season, Milan was involved in a collision with Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller. The NHL decided not to suspend him for the hit. A few weeks later, he received a one-game suspension for an illegal hit on a Philadelphia player. In the 2013–14 season, Milan scored his first overtime goal in the NHL.

Playing for Other Teams

Los Angeles Kings (2015–2016)

Lucic with the Los Angeles Kings in April 2016

On June 26, 2015, Milan was traded to the Los Angeles Kings. He had a strong season with the Kings, scoring 20 goals and 35 assists for 55 points. He also added three assists in five playoff games.

Edmonton Oilers (2016–2019)

Milan signed a seven-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, 2016. He chose jersey number 27 because his usual number 17 was retired by the Oilers. He had a good first year with the Oilers, scoring 23 goals and 50 points. He helped the team make the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The Oilers won their first playoff series but then lost in the next round.

After his first season, Milan's scoring numbers went down. He scored 10 goals in his second season and only 6 goals in his third year with the Oilers.

Calgary Flames (2019–2023)

On July 19, 2019, Milan was traded to the Calgary Flames for James Neal. Both players were looking for a fresh start. Milan went back to wearing his number 17 jersey. He had a slow start with the Flames and even thought about retiring early in the season.

On November 2, 2019, Milan received a two-game suspension for roughing a player. He finally scored his first goal as a Flame in his 28th game. He then scored two more goals in his next three games. By March 2020, when the season ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Milan had 8 goals. On April 13, 2021, Milan played his 1,000th NHL game. This is a big milestone for a hockey player.

Return to Boston (2023–2024)

On July 1, 2023, Milan returned to the Boston Bruins, signing a one-year contract. Early in the season, he got injured when a puck hit his ankle. He was placed on injured reserve. He did not play for the rest of the 2023–24 season. He also entered the NHLPA Assistance Program, which helps players with personal challenges.

International Play

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Gold	2023 Finland/Latvia

After his MVP performance at the 2007 Memorial Cup, Milan was named captain of the Canadian junior team. They played in the 2007 Super Series against Russia. This series celebrated the 35th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series. Canada won the series, and Milan had three assists.

Milan was invited to try out for the Canadian senior team for the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. However, he was not chosen for the final team roster either time. In 2023, Milan was part of the Canadian team that won a gold medal at the World Championship.

Personal Life

Milan Lucic has Scheuermann's disease. He married Brittany Carnegie in 2012, and they have three children. Milan has talked about how important mental health is. He has shared his own struggles after his father passed away. He believes it's important to ask for help when you need it.

Milan has also worked on anti-bullying campaigns. In 2014, he and his wife wrote a children's book called Not Cool to Bully in School. He read the book to boys' and girls' clubs in Boston. The money from the book went to a charity. He has also hosted a celebrity softball game to raise money for charity.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play Statistics

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2007	Canada	SS			8	0	3	3	16
2023	Canada	WC			10	2	2	4	4
Junior totals					8	0	3	3	16
Senior totals					10	2	2	4	4

Awards and Achievements

Major Junior Awards

NHL Awards

* Did not play due to injury

Team Awards

Calgary Flames Awards

Boston Bruins Awards