Jump to content

Milan Lucic: Difference between revisions

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=83957
Tags: changing height and/or weight Mobile edit Mobile web edit
Rescuing 2 sources. #IABot
Line 37: Line 37:


[[File:Milan Lucic Giants Ring of Honour.JPG|thumb|Lucic's banner in the Giants' Ring of Honour.]]
[[File:Milan Lucic Giants Ring of Honour.JPG|thumb|Lucic's banner in the Giants' Ring of Honour.]]
The following season, in [[2006–07 WHL season|2006–07]], Lucic emerged as one of the Giants' leaders, finishing first in team scoring with 68 points in 70 games.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top Scorers – 2006–07 WHL Season – Vancouver Giants|url=http://whl.ca/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters&subType=20&season_id=227&leagueId=26&lastActive=&singleSeason=&confId=0|accessdate=January 20, 2010|publisher=[[Western Hockey League]]}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> He added 19 points in 22 post-season games as the Giants lost the WHL Finals to the [[Medicine Hat Tigers]] in seven games. Despite losing the WHL title, Vancouver appeared in the [[2007 Memorial Cup]] as tournament hosts.<ref name=mem07/> Lucic and the Giants met Medicine Hat once more in the tournament final, capturing the [[Canadian Hockey League]] (CHL) title by a 3–1 score.<ref name=mem07/> Lucic assisted on [[Michal Řepík]]'s tournament-winning goal with five minutes to play in regulation.<ref name=mem07>{{cite web|title=The 2007 Memorial Cup History|url=http://mastercardmemorialcup.com/cuphistory.php?y=2007|accessdate=January 20, 2010|publisher=[[Canadian Hockey League]]|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100115081540/http://mastercardmemorialcup.com/cuphistory.php?y=2007 <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archivedate=January 15, 2010}}</ref> He finished the tournament tied for the lead in scoring with Řepík (with more goals, Řepík was awarded the [[Ed Chynoweth Trophy]] as leading scorer) and earned the [[Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy]] as tournament MVP.<ref name=mem07/>
The following season, in [[2006–07 WHL season|2006–07]], Lucic emerged as one of the Giants' leaders, finishing first in team scoring with 68 points in 70 games.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top Scorers – 2006–07 WHL Season – Vancouver Giants |url=http://whl.ca/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters&subType=20&season_id=227&leagueId=26&lastActive=&singleSeason=&confId=0 |accessdate=January 20, 2010 |publisher=[[Western Hockey League]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20100129065537/http://whl.ca:80/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters |archivedate=January 29, 2010 }}</ref> He added 19 points in 22 post-season games as the Giants lost the WHL Finals to the [[Medicine Hat Tigers]] in seven games. Despite losing the WHL title, Vancouver appeared in the [[2007 Memorial Cup]] as tournament hosts.<ref name=mem07/> Lucic and the Giants met Medicine Hat once more in the tournament final, capturing the [[Canadian Hockey League]] (CHL) title by a 3–1 score.<ref name=mem07/> Lucic assisted on [[Michal Řepík]]'s tournament-winning goal with five minutes to play in regulation.<ref name=mem07>{{cite web|title=The 2007 Memorial Cup History|url=http://mastercardmemorialcup.com/cuphistory.php?y=2007|accessdate=January 20, 2010|publisher=[[Canadian Hockey League]]|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100115081540/http://mastercardmemorialcup.com/cuphistory.php?y=2007 <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archivedate=January 15, 2010}}</ref> He finished the tournament tied for the lead in scoring with Řepík (with more goals, Řepík was awarded the [[Ed Chynoweth Trophy]] as leading scorer) and earned the [[Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy]] as tournament MVP.<ref name=mem07/>


Nearly four years after his last junior game, Lucic was honoured by the Giants prior to a game against the [[Chilliwack Bruins]] on February 25, 2011. Dubbed "Milan Lucic Night," he was added to the club's Ring of Honour, showcasing the top Giants alumni of all-time. The first 500 game-attendees were also given free Lucic bobblehead dolls.<ref>{{cite news|title=Milan Lucic honoured by Giants|url=http://www.whl.ca/article/milan-lucic-honoured-by-giants|accessdate=February 26, 2011|date=February 26, 2011|publisher=[[Western Hockey League]]}}</ref> As part of the team's ten-year anniversary, he was also voted by fans as the team's best player of all-time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Top 10 Giants of the Decade|url=http://www.vancouvergiants.com/article/top-10-giants-of-the-decade_95278|accessdate=March 21, 2011|publisher=[[Vancouver Giants]]}}</ref>
Nearly four years after his last junior game, Lucic was honoured by the Giants prior to a game against the [[Chilliwack Bruins]] on February 25, 2011. Dubbed "Milan Lucic Night," he was added to the club's Ring of Honour, showcasing the top Giants alumni of all-time. The first 500 game-attendees were also given free Lucic bobblehead dolls.<ref>{{cite news|title=Milan Lucic honoured by Giants|url=http://www.whl.ca/article/milan-lucic-honoured-by-giants|accessdate=February 26, 2011|date=February 26, 2011|publisher=[[Western Hockey League]]}}</ref> As part of the team's ten-year anniversary, he was also voted by fans as the team's best player of all-time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Top 10 Giants of the Decade|url=http://www.vancouvergiants.com/article/top-10-giants-of-the-decade_95278|accessdate=March 21, 2011|publisher=[[Vancouver Giants]]}}</ref>
Line 62: Line 62:
In August 2011, Lucic had his customary day in possession of the Stanley Cup, which he spent in Vancouver. While it is traditional for players to host public celebrations with the trophy in their hometowns, Lucic chose to keep the day private, explaining that "I grew up a Canucks fan. I know how it is."<ref name=homecoming>{{cite news|title=Lucic brings Cup to Vancouver for a special homecoming|url=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2011/08/15/lucic-brings-cup-to-vancouver-for-special-homecoming/|accessdate=December 17, 2011|date=August 15, 2011|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref> Following the Canucks' defeat in the Finals, fans had staged an hours-long [[2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot|riot]] in [[Downtown Vancouver]]. More personally, posters of Lucic at a local cultural community centre were defaced. Also, an appearance by Lucic at a Greek festival in Vancouver sparked a public brawl; ''[[The Vancouver Sun]]'' reported that Lucic did not throw any punches.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lucic's day to be private|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2011/08/13/lucics_day_with_the_cup_to_be_private/|accessdate=December 17, 2011|date=August 13, 2011|work=[[Boston Globe]]|author=Hoban, Jim}}</ref> While Lucic's day with the Cup was private, many of his functions were held in public venues, which were reportedly well received by passers-by. He brought the trophy to his hometown church, St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church in [[Burnaby, British Columbia|Burnaby]], for a gathering of approximately 350 people and on a harbour cruise with friends and family. He finished the day atop [[Grouse Mountain]], the same place where he and his Vancouver Giants teammates took the Memorial Cup after their CHL victory in 2007.<ref name=homecoming/> Months later, in February 2012, the church he brought the trophy to was vandalized.<ref>{{cite news|title=Boston Bruins Milan Lucic's church vandalized|url=http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Boston+Bruins+Milan+Lucic+church+vandalized/6166434/story.html|accessdate=July 12, 2012|date=February 16, 2012|work=[[The Vancouver Sun]]|author=Woo, Andrea}}</ref>
In August 2011, Lucic had his customary day in possession of the Stanley Cup, which he spent in Vancouver. While it is traditional for players to host public celebrations with the trophy in their hometowns, Lucic chose to keep the day private, explaining that "I grew up a Canucks fan. I know how it is."<ref name=homecoming>{{cite news|title=Lucic brings Cup to Vancouver for a special homecoming|url=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2011/08/15/lucic-brings-cup-to-vancouver-for-special-homecoming/|accessdate=December 17, 2011|date=August 15, 2011|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref> Following the Canucks' defeat in the Finals, fans had staged an hours-long [[2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot|riot]] in [[Downtown Vancouver]]. More personally, posters of Lucic at a local cultural community centre were defaced. Also, an appearance by Lucic at a Greek festival in Vancouver sparked a public brawl; ''[[The Vancouver Sun]]'' reported that Lucic did not throw any punches.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lucic's day to be private|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2011/08/13/lucics_day_with_the_cup_to_be_private/|accessdate=December 17, 2011|date=August 13, 2011|work=[[Boston Globe]]|author=Hoban, Jim}}</ref> While Lucic's day with the Cup was private, many of his functions were held in public venues, which were reportedly well received by passers-by. He brought the trophy to his hometown church, St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church in [[Burnaby, British Columbia|Burnaby]], for a gathering of approximately 350 people and on a harbour cruise with friends and family. He finished the day atop [[Grouse Mountain]], the same place where he and his Vancouver Giants teammates took the Memorial Cup after their CHL victory in 2007.<ref name=homecoming/> Months later, in February 2012, the church he brought the trophy to was vandalized.<ref>{{cite news|title=Boston Bruins Milan Lucic's church vandalized|url=http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Boston+Bruins+Milan+Lucic+church+vandalized/6166434/story.html|accessdate=July 12, 2012|date=February 16, 2012|work=[[The Vancouver Sun]]|author=Woo, Andrea}}</ref>


A month-and-a-half into the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]], Lucic received considerable attention for a hit against opposing goaltender [[Ryan Miller]] during a game against the [[Buffalo Sabres]]. Miller had come out of his net to play a puck that Lucic last touched midway between the centre line and the Sabres' blue line. As Miller shot the puck towards the end-boards, Lucic collided with him heavily, knocking him to the ice.<ref>{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TERA-GY2K1o|title=Milan Lucic hits Ryan Miller Nov 12, 2011|accessdate=Sep 25, 2013}}</ref> Miller was diagnosed with a concussion and was sidelined for several games;{{#tag:ref|Miller later speculated that the injury was more of a neck issue.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ryan Miller says injury from Milan Lucic hit may have been in neck, not concussion|url=http://www.nesn.com/2011/11/ryan-miller-says-injury-may-have-been-in-neck-not-concussion-from-milan-lucic-hit.html|accessdate=December 17, 2011|date=November 28, 2011|publisher=New England Sports Network|author=Hurley, Michael}}</ref>|group=notes}} he also heavily criticized Lucic for his actions and called him a "gutless piece of shit" in post-game comments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvE82q4yKEM&feature=player_embedded|title=Inside Hockey- Ryan Miller Interview Bruins Sabres 11/12 (calls Lucic "piece of $#%^")|accessdate=June 24, 2012}}</ref> The day after the hit, the NHL held a hearing with Lucic and later announced that he would not be suspended for the play, citing that the minor penalty for charging that was assessed during the game was sufficient.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bruins' Milan Lucic off the hook from NHL for hit that sidelined Sabres' Ryan Miller|url=http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Bruins+Milan+Lucic+hook+from+that+sidelined+Sabres+Ryan+Miller/5708465/story.html|accessdate=December 17, 2011|date=November 14, 2011|work=[[The Vancouver Sun]]}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> A few weeks after this incident, he received a one-game suspension for an illegal hit on Philadelphia forward [[Zac Rinaldo]]. Lucic hit Rinaldo from behind during a battle for the puck along the boards, although he was not seriously injured on the play.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=383119 | title = Bruins Lucic suspended one game for hit on Rinaldo | publisher = The Canadian Press | accessdate =Dec 19, 2011 | date = Dec 19, 2011 }}</ref> A short time into the [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14 season]], Lucic scored his first-ever NHL overtime goal to break a 2–2 tie game at home against the visiting [[Columbus Blue Jackets]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bruins.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=22748 |title=Home Cookin' Helps Bruins Find Their Way |last=Switaj |first=Caryn |date=November 14, 2013 |website=bruins.nhl.com |publisher=Boston Bruins |accessdate=November 13, 2013}}</ref>
A month-and-a-half into the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]], Lucic received considerable attention for a hit against opposing goaltender [[Ryan Miller]] during a game against the [[Buffalo Sabres]]. Miller had come out of his net to play a puck that Lucic last touched midway between the centre line and the Sabres' blue line. As Miller shot the puck towards the end-boards, Lucic collided with him heavily, knocking him to the ice.<ref>{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TERA-GY2K1o|title=Milan Lucic hits Ryan Miller Nov 12, 2011|accessdate=Sep 25, 2013}}</ref> Miller was diagnosed with a concussion and was sidelined for several games;{{#tag:ref|Miller later speculated that the injury was more of a neck issue.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ryan Miller says injury from Milan Lucic hit may have been in neck, not concussion|url=http://www.nesn.com/2011/11/ryan-miller-says-injury-may-have-been-in-neck-not-concussion-from-milan-lucic-hit.html|accessdate=December 17, 2011|date=November 28, 2011|publisher=New England Sports Network|author=Hurley, Michael}}</ref>|group=notes}} he also heavily criticized Lucic for his actions and called him a "gutless piece of shit" in post-game comments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvE82q4yKEM&feature=player_embedded|title=Inside Hockey- Ryan Miller Interview Bruins Sabres 11/12 (calls Lucic "piece of $#%^")|accessdate=June 24, 2012}}</ref> The day after the hit, the NHL held a hearing with Lucic and later announced that he would not be suspended for the play, citing that the minor penalty for charging that was assessed during the game was sufficient.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bruins' Milan Lucic off the hook from NHL for hit that sidelined Sabres' Ryan Miller |url=http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Bruins+Milan+Lucic+hook+from+that+sidelined+Sabres+Ryan+Miller/5708465/story.html |accessdate=December 17, 2011 |date=November 14, 2011 |work=[[The Vancouver Sun]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20111116215143/http://www.vancouversun.com:80/sports/Bruins+Milan+Lucic+hook+from+that+sidelined+Sabres+Ryan+Miller/5708465/story.html |archivedate=November 16, 2011 }}</ref> A few weeks after this incident, he received a one-game suspension for an illegal hit on Philadelphia forward [[Zac Rinaldo]]. Lucic hit Rinaldo from behind during a battle for the puck along the boards, although he was not seriously injured on the play.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=383119 | title = Bruins Lucic suspended one game for hit on Rinaldo | publisher = The Canadian Press | accessdate =Dec 19, 2011 | date = Dec 19, 2011 }}</ref> A short time into the [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14 season]], Lucic scored his first-ever NHL overtime goal to break a 2–2 tie game at home against the visiting [[Columbus Blue Jackets]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bruins.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=22748 |title=Home Cookin' Helps Bruins Find Their Way |last=Switaj |first=Caryn |date=November 14, 2013 |website=bruins.nhl.com |publisher=Boston Bruins |accessdate=November 13, 2013}}</ref>


====Los Angeles Kings (2015-present)====
====Los Angeles Kings (2015-present)====

Revision as of 23:22, 22 February 2016

Milan Lucic
Milan Lucic in 2014.
Born (1988-06-07) June 7, 1988 (age 36)
Vancouver, BC, CAN
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 233 lb (106 kg; 16 st 9 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Los Angeles Kings
Boston Bruins
National team  Canada
NHL draft 50th overall, 2006
Boston Bruins
Playing career 2007–present

Milan Lucic (pronounced [mǐlan lûːt͡ʃit͡ɕ]; born June 7, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played major junior with the Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for three seasons and captured a Memorial Cup, while being named tournament MVP in 2007. He was selected 50th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft[1] and made the Bruins' roster as a 19-year-old in 2007–08. Three years later, he won a Stanley Cup with the Bruins. He spent the first eight seasons of his NHL career with Boston prior to joining Los Angeles in June 2015.

Internationally, he captained the Canadian national junior team at the 2007 Super Series. Lucic plays physically in the style of a power forward.[2][3]

Early life

Lucic was born in East Vancouver to Serbian couple Dobrivoje Lučić and Snežana Kesa.[2] His father, a longshoreman, emigrated from Yugoslavia when he was 27, while his mother arrived from Yugoslavia (now Serbia) with her family at the age of two.[2] He has a younger brother named Nikola and an older brother named Jovan Lučić.[4][5] His maternal uncle, Dan Kesa, is a retired NHL right winger who played for the Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Dallas Stars.[6]

Growing up, Lucic attended Killarney Secondary in Vancouver.[7] He was a fan of the hometown Vancouver Canucks and has singled out power forward Todd Bertuzzi as one of his favourite players when following the team.[8] At the age of 15, he was diagnosed with Scheuermann's disease, a condition that can cause the upper back to curve and has given Lucic a hunched over posture.[2]

Lucic played minor hockey (VMHA) in Vancouver, but nearly quit the sport after being passed up in the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft.[9] He was invited to play for the Coquitlam Express of the Junior A British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), but was further demoralized when he initially failed to make the team out of rookie camp. He agreed to play, instead, for the Junior B Delta Ice Hawks, but later played his way onto the Express after five games.[9]

Playing career

Amateur

Lucic began his junior career with the Coquitlam Express of the BCHL in 2004–05. In the same season, he made his major junior debut with the Vancouver Giants, his hometown Western Hockey League (WHL) team, playing in one regular season game and two playoff games. He joined the Giants full-time in 2005–06, scoring 19 points in 62 games. He added seven points in 18 playoff games to help the Giants to a WHL title and an appearance in the 2006 Memorial Cup. In the off-season, he was selected 50th overall by the Boston Bruins in the second round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Bruins management had considered taking Lucic earlier in the second round with the 37th overall pick, but chose defenceman Yuri Alexandrov instead. Bruins Director of Scouting Scott Bradley admitted he did not expect Lucic to still be available with the 50th pick, adding, "We were fortunate to get him."[10]

Lucic's banner in the Giants' Ring of Honour.

The following season, in 2006–07, Lucic emerged as one of the Giants' leaders, finishing first in team scoring with 68 points in 70 games.[11] He added 19 points in 22 post-season games as the Giants lost the WHL Finals to the Medicine Hat Tigers in seven games. Despite losing the WHL title, Vancouver appeared in the 2007 Memorial Cup as tournament hosts.[12] Lucic and the Giants met Medicine Hat once more in the tournament final, capturing the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) title by a 3–1 score.[12] Lucic assisted on Michal Řepík's tournament-winning goal with five minutes to play in regulation.[12] He finished the tournament tied for the lead in scoring with Řepík (with more goals, Řepík was awarded the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as leading scorer) and earned the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP.[12]

Nearly four years after his last junior game, Lucic was honoured by the Giants prior to a game against the Chilliwack Bruins on February 25, 2011. Dubbed "Milan Lucic Night," he was added to the club's Ring of Honour, showcasing the top Giants alumni of all-time. The first 500 game-attendees were also given free Lucic bobblehead dolls.[13] As part of the team's ten-year anniversary, he was also voted by fans as the team's best player of all-time.[14]

A frontal view of a hockey player in his early twenties, cut off at the thighs, during a hockey game. He is wearing a black and yellow jersey with a logo containing a capitalized "B". The number "17" is visible on his jersey's left sleeve. He is looking downwards with an intent expression on his face.
Lucic during his rookie season with the Bruins in 2007–08.

Professional

Boston Bruins (2007-2015)

In the 2007 off-season, Lucic signed an entry-level contract with the Bruins on August 2.[15] He had been chosen as the Giants' next team captain,[16] but made the Bruins' 2007–08 opening roster out of training camp. He played in his first career NHL game on October 5, 2007, a 4–1 loss to the Dallas Stars, in which he fought opposing forward Brad Winchester.[17] His first goal came a week later on October 12 against Jonathan Bernier, a game winner, in an 8–6 win against the Los Angeles Kings.[18] By also fighting Kings forward Raitis Ivanāns and notching an assist, he recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick (an unofficial statistic constituting a goal, an assist and a fight in one game).[19] Unsure of whether the Bruins would keep him or return him to junior,[20] he stayed in a downtown hotel in Boston to start the season.[10] However, Lucic made enough of an impression during his first set of games with the Bruins, showing grit and consistent willingness to fight (he recorded 13 fighting majors in his rookie season),[2] that they decided to keep him in the lineup.[21] Bruins management informed the Giants prior to Lucic's tenth game, accounting for the NHL's nine-game maximum for junior-eligible players to stay with their NHL club without initiating their contract.[21] He was chosen to participate in the 2008 NHL YoungStars Game[19] and finished his rookie campaign with eight goals and 27 points. Towards the end of the season, he was voted by Bruins fans for the team's Seventh Player Award for exceeding expectations.[22] Matched up against the first-seeded Montreal Canadiens in the opening round, Lucic scored his first Stanley Cup playoff goal in Game 3 on April 13, 2008.[23] He finished his first NHL post-season with two goals as the Bruins were eliminated by the Canadiens in seven games.

Early into the 2008–09 season, Lucic recorded his first career NHL hat-trick and added an assist in a 5–4 win against the Atlanta Thrashers on October 25, 2008.[24] Later that week, Lucic made a much-publicized return to his hometown in a game against the Vancouver Canucks, which featured a picture of him as a baby on the back page of Vancouver's The Province newspaper.[25] Earlier in the year, Lucic's 2007 Memorial Cup ring had been stolen from his home in East Vancouver on July 10, 2008.[26] In a private ceremony before the game against the Canucks, he was presented a replacement ring by Vancouver Giants ownership.[27]

Lucic was chosen to his second YoungStars Game in January 2009. However, he did not compete for the sophomores in Montreal due to an undisclosed upper-body injury.[28] Near the end of the season, on April 4, 2009, Lucic was awarded the Bruins' Eddie Shore Award for hustle and determination.[29] He finished his second NHL season improving to 17 goals and 42 points in 72 games, while playing predominantly on a line with the Bruins' top centre, Marc Savard.[30]

Entering the 2009 playoffs with the Bruins as the first seed in the Eastern Conference, Lucic received a one-game suspension after delivering a cross-check to the head of Montreal Canadiens forward Maxim Lapierre in Game 2 of the first round. While the Bruins argued that Lucic used predominantly his glove, rather than his stick, the League held its decision.[31] After serving his suspension, Lucic and the Bruins went on to eliminate the Canadiens, advancing to the second round against the Carolina Hurricanes, who the Bruins lost to in seven games. Lucic added nine points in ten games in the playoffs.

With the 2009–10 season marking the final year of his original entry-level contract, it was announced on October 6, 2009, that Lucic had been signed to a three-year, US$12.25 million contract extension with the Bruins through to the 2012–13 season.[32] The deal is structured at US$4 million for the first two seasons and US$4.25 million in the third, a raise from his US$685,000 base salary in 2009–10.[32] Ten days later, on October 16, he suffered a broken finger requiring surgery in a game against the Dallas Stars while hitting defenceman Stéphane Robidas.[33][34] Lucic returned to the Bruins lineup on November 19, but was injured again four games later, suffering a sprained ankle in a game against the Minnesota Wild on November 25. His left leg had buckled from underneath him while reaching behind him to receive a pass from teammate Dennis Wideman.[35] Missing an additional 18 games,[36] Lucic was limited to 50 contests in his third NHL season. His play was perceived by Head Coach Claude Julien to have suffered following the two injuries;[30] he recorded nine goals and 20 points to finish the regular season. He added nine points in 13 playoff games as the Bruins were eliminated in the second round by the Philadelphia Flyers. They became the third team in NHL history to lose a playoff series after having led three games to none.[37] All five goals Lucic scored in the playoffs were recorded in the second round,[30] including two in the deciding seventh game, which the Bruins lost 4–3.[37]

Lucic celebrates with the Stanley Cup following the Bruins' Game 7 win against the Vancouver Canucks.

In the second month of the 2010–11 season, Lucic recorded a natural hat-trick on November 18, 2010, during a 4–0 win over the Florida Panthers.[38] Later in the campaign, he was fined $3,500 by the NHL for his actions during a game against Atlanta on December 23. After Lucic was hit by opposing defenceman Freddy Meyer, teammate Andrew Ference engaged Meyer in a fight. In the ensuing scrum, Lucic punched Meyer as the two were being restrained by referees, resulting in a match penalty. Three days following the game, Lucic received a $2,500 fine for his punch and an additional $1,000 for an obscene gesture he had made to players on the Thrashers' bench immediately afterwards.[39] In January 2011, he missed three games with a shoulder injury.[40] Lucic completed the season with a career-high 30 goals, 32 assists and 62 points in 79 games. He led the Bruins in goal-scoring while tying for the points lead with centre David Krejčí.[41] Entering the 2011 playoffs as the third seed in the East,[42] the Bruins eliminated the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning in the first three rounds, en route to the Stanley Cup Finals against Vancouver. Although Lucic scored below his regular season pace during the post-season with 12 points (five goals and seven assists) in 25 games, he helped the Bruins to their first Stanley Cup since 1972, as the team defeated the Canucks in Game 7 of the Finals.[43] It was later reported that Lucic was playing through a couple of injuries during the playoffs. During the Eastern Conference Finals, he suffered a broken toe after blocking a shot from teammate Tyler Seguin during practice. He also struggled with a sinus infection, which was part of a larger problem in his right nostril that traced back to the end of the 2009–10 season and caused improper breathing. Lucic underwent surgery in the off-season to repair the sinus.[44]

In August 2011, Lucic had his customary day in possession of the Stanley Cup, which he spent in Vancouver. While it is traditional for players to host public celebrations with the trophy in their hometowns, Lucic chose to keep the day private, explaining that "I grew up a Canucks fan. I know how it is."[45] Following the Canucks' defeat in the Finals, fans had staged an hours-long riot in Downtown Vancouver. More personally, posters of Lucic at a local cultural community centre were defaced. Also, an appearance by Lucic at a Greek festival in Vancouver sparked a public brawl; The Vancouver Sun reported that Lucic did not throw any punches.[46] While Lucic's day with the Cup was private, many of his functions were held in public venues, which were reportedly well received by passers-by. He brought the trophy to his hometown church, St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church in Burnaby, for a gathering of approximately 350 people and on a harbour cruise with friends and family. He finished the day atop Grouse Mountain, the same place where he and his Vancouver Giants teammates took the Memorial Cup after their CHL victory in 2007.[45] Months later, in February 2012, the church he brought the trophy to was vandalized.[47]

A month-and-a-half into the 2011–12 season, Lucic received considerable attention for a hit against opposing goaltender Ryan Miller during a game against the Buffalo Sabres. Miller had come out of his net to play a puck that Lucic last touched midway between the centre line and the Sabres' blue line. As Miller shot the puck towards the end-boards, Lucic collided with him heavily, knocking him to the ice.[48] Miller was diagnosed with a concussion and was sidelined for several games;[notes 1] he also heavily criticized Lucic for his actions and called him a "gutless piece of shit" in post-game comments.[50] The day after the hit, the NHL held a hearing with Lucic and later announced that he would not be suspended for the play, citing that the minor penalty for charging that was assessed during the game was sufficient.[51] A few weeks after this incident, he received a one-game suspension for an illegal hit on Philadelphia forward Zac Rinaldo. Lucic hit Rinaldo from behind during a battle for the puck along the boards, although he was not seriously injured on the play.[52] A short time into the 2013–14 season, Lucic scored his first-ever NHL overtime goal to break a 2–2 tie game at home against the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets.[53]

Los Angeles Kings (2015-present)

On June 26, 2015, Lucic was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for goaltender Martin Jones, Colin Miller and the 13th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.[54]

International play

In the off-season following Lucic's MVP performance at the 2007 Memorial Cup, he was named team captain of Canada for the 2007 Super Series against Russia.[55] The series, an eight-game competition between Canada and Russia's under-20 teams, commemorated the 35th anniversary of the historic 1972 Summit Series.[56] He recorded three assists as Canada won the series with seven wins and a tie.[56]

Two years later, Lucic was invited to Canada's summer orientation camp in Calgary for the 2010 Winter Olympics.[57] He was not, however, chosen to the final roster. Lucic was also invited to the orientation camp for the 2014 Winter Olympics, but again did not make the final roster.

Personal life

Lucic married his longtime girlfriend Brittany Carnegie in the summer of 2012. The couple have two daughters, Valentina and Nikolina.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2004–05 Coquitlam Express BCHL 50 9 14 23 101 — — — — —
2004–05 Vancouver Giants WHL 1 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0
2005–06 Vancouver Giants WHL 62 9 10 19 149 18 3 4 7 23
2006–07 Vancouver Giants WHL 70 30 38 68 147 22 7 12 19 26
2007–08 Boston Bruins NHL 77 8 19 27 89 7 2 0 2 4
2008–09 Boston Bruins NHL 72 17 25 42 136 10 3 6 9 43
2009–10 Boston Bruins NHL 50 9 11 20 44 13 5 4 9 19
2010–11 Boston Bruins NHL 79 30 32 62 121 25 5 7 12 63
2011–12 Boston Bruins NHL 81 26 35 61 135 7 0 3 3 8
2012–13 Boston Bruins NHL 46 7 20 27 75 22 7 12 19 14
2013–14 Boston Bruins NHL 80 24 35 59 91 12 4 3 7 4
2014–15 Boston Bruins NHL 81 18 26 44 81 — — — — —
NHL totals 566 139 203 342 772 96 26 35 61 155

International statistics

Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2007 Canada SS 1st place, gold medalist(s) 8 0 3 3 16
Junior totals 8 0 3 3 16

Awards

Major junior

Award Year(s)
President's Cup (Vancouver Giants) 2006
Memorial Cup (Vancouver Giants) 2007
Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy 2007[12]
Memorial Cup All-Star Team 2007

NHL

Award Year(s)
NHL YoungStars Game 2008,[19] 2009*[28]
Stanley Cup champion 2011

*Did not play due to injury

Boston Bruins

Award Year(s)
Seventh Player Award 2008[22]
Eddie Shore Award 2009, 2015[29]

Notes

  1. ^ Miller later speculated that the injury was more of a neck issue.[49]

References

  1. ^ "Milan Lucic hockey statistics & profile". hockeyDB.com. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e Wigge, Larry (December 2, 2008). "Lucic endearing himself to fans all over". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
  3. ^ Murphy, James (October 2, 2009). "Milan Lucic Has the Ability to Be the Textbook Power Forward". New England Sports Network. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
  4. ^ "Lucic is big, tough and scary". Montreal Gazette. Montreal. April 15, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  5. ^ Luedeke, Kirk (June 30, 2006). "Lucky Lucic". New England Hockey Journal. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Milan Lucic Player Profile". Hockey Canada. Archived from the original on January 24, 2010. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  7. ^ Chong, Andrew. "Lucic steps up again and again". Hockey Now. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved October 27, 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Murphy, James (June 1, 2011). "Milan Lucic has hometown advantage". ESPN. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  9. ^ a b "Lucic almost quit in 2003". The Province. October 28, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ a b Shinzawa, Fluto (June 3, 2007). "Bruins rookie Lucic punches up résumé". Boston Globe. Retrieved January 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "Top Scorers – 2006–07 WHL Season – Vancouver Giants". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on January 29, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b c d e "The 2007 Memorial Cup History". Canadian Hockey League. Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
  13. ^ "Milan Lucic honoured by Giants". Western Hockey League. February 26, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
  14. ^ "Top 10 Giants of the Decade". Vancouver Giants. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  15. ^ "Boston Bruins sign left wing Milan Lucic". Boston Bruins. February 8, 2007. Archived from the original on January 24, 2010. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  16. ^ "Vancouver honours conquering Giants". Victoria Times Colonist. May 30, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "Turco limits Bruins to power-play goal as Stars win home opener". ESPN. October 6, 2007. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
  18. ^ "Boston 8, Los Angeles 6". USA Today. October 12, 2007. Retrieved January 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ a b c Shinzawa, Fluto (January 25, 2008). "Bruins' Lucic heads to YoungStars game". Boston Globe. Retrieved January 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ "Lucic makes impression in Boston". Victoria Times Colonist. October 18, 2007. Retrieved January 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ a b "Bruins decide to keep Lucic". Globe and Mail. October 22, 2007. Retrieved January 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ a b Muir, Allan (March 28, 2008). "Boston's new hope". CNN Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 24, 2010. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  23. ^ "Savard's OT goal leads Bruins to 2–1 overtime victory over Canadiens". USA Today. April 13, 2008. Retrieved December 7, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ "Lucic's hat trick leads Bruins past Thrashers". National Hockey League. October 25, 2008. Retrieved October 25, 2008.
  25. ^ "City gives Lucic a welcome homecoming". Boston Herald. October 29, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ "Burglars take Milan Lucic's Memorial Cup ring". The Province. July 11, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ "New kid can't wow them all the time". The Province. October 29, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ a b "YoungStars selected, expect wide-open contest". Sporting News. January 9, 2009. Archived from the original on January 24, 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  29. ^ a b Harris, Stephen (April 5, 2009). "Tim Thomas deal puts cap pressure on Chiarelli". Boston Herald. Retrieved April 6, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ a b c "Bruins winger Milan Lucic confident he'll bounce back from injury-plagued season". The Patriot Ledger. September 19, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  31. ^ "Bruins' Lucic handed one-game suspension". The Sports Network. April 19, 2009. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
  32. ^ a b Shinzawa, Fluto (October 7, 2009). "Bruins sign Lucic to three-year contract". Boston Globe. Retrieved October 27, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  33. ^ "Bruins' Lucic placed on injured reserve". The Sports Network. December 15, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  34. ^ Shinzawa, Fluto (October 18, 2009). "Broken finger KOs Lucic". Boston Globe. Retrieved October 18, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  35. ^ Dumont, Kevin Paul (November 27, 2009). "Lucic diagnosis: sprained ankle, sidelined a month". Boston Globe. Retrieved December 7, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ "Milan Lucic". The Sports Network. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  37. ^ a b Canadian Press. "Flyers complete historic comeback". The Hockey News. Retrieved May 22, 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  38. ^ "Rask and Lucic lead Bruins past Panthers". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
  39. ^ "NHL opts not to suspend Bruins forward Milan Lucic for match penalty against Thrashers". ESPN. December 26, 2010. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  40. ^ "Milan Lucic back from injury". The Boston Herald. January 18, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
  41. ^ "2010–2011 Regular Season Boston Bruins Points Leaders". National Hockey League. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
  42. ^ "2010–2011 Regular Season". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  43. ^ "2010–11 NHL Playoff Results". Hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  44. ^ Kalman, Matt (August 25, 2011). "Surgeries won't slow Lucic, Rask this season". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  45. ^ a b "Lucic brings Cup to Vancouver for a special homecoming". National Hockey League. August 15, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  46. ^ Hoban, Jim (August 13, 2011). "Lucic's day to be private". Boston Globe. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  47. ^ Woo, Andrea (February 16, 2012). "Boston Bruins Milan Lucic's church vandalized". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  48. ^ Milan Lucic hits Ryan Miller Nov 12, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  49. ^ Hurley, Michael (November 28, 2011). "Ryan Miller says injury from Milan Lucic hit may have been in neck, not concussion". New England Sports Network. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  50. ^ "Inside Hockey- Ryan Miller Interview Bruins Sabres 11/12 (calls Lucic "piece of $#%^")". Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  51. ^ "Bruins' Milan Lucic off the hook from NHL for hit that sidelined Sabres' Ryan Miller". The Vancouver Sun. November 14, 2011. Archived from the original on November 16, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  52. ^ "Bruins Lucic suspended one game for hit on Rinaldo". The Canadian Press. December 19, 2011. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  53. ^ Switaj, Caryn (November 14, 2013). "Home Cookin' Helps Bruins Find Their Way". bruins.nhl.com. Boston Bruins. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  54. ^ "Bruins deal Lucic to Kings". TSN. June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  55. ^ "Canada names Lucic captain for Super Series". CBC Sports. August 25, 2007. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
  56. ^ a b "Canada completes Canada/Russia Super Series with undefeated record". Hockey Canada. September 9, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
  57. ^ "Lucic a longshot for Olympic team at Canada's camp". CTV News. August 24, 2009. Archived from the original on August 28, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Milan Lucic.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Winner of the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy
2007 		Succeeded by

Template:Persondata

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Milan_Lucic&oldid=706371765"