By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
Yesterday, on his 38th birthday, the Boston Bruins said farewell to a former fan favorite. Forward Milan Lucic, who hadn’t played in a National Hockey League game since Oct. 21, 2023, announced his retirement from professional hockey. Lucic recorded 586 points in 1,177 games during his NHL career.
As a Bruin, Lucic recorded 344 points in 570 games. In June 2015, the Bruins traded Lucic to the Los Angeles Kings, but he returned to Boston and played four games during the 2023-24 season. Lucic began his career as a Bruin and ended his career wearing the same sweater. Despite playing for the Kings, Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames, he will be remembered by many hockey fans as a Bruin. It’s now time to re-live some of Lucic’s most memorable moments wearing a Bruins sweater.
Goodbye to the Glass
Lucic made an impact immediately on the Bruins when he recorded 27 points as a rookie in the 2007-08 season. Lucic’s rookie year helped the Bruins make the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Looking to keep his momentum going during his second NHL season in 2008-09, Lucic gave Bruin fans a moment they won’t forget against a hated rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
It’s not normal that glass breaks during a hockey game. However, on Oct. 23, 2008, Lucic checked Maple Leafs defenseman Mike Van Ryn into the boards, shattering the glass and making fans stand. During the broadcast, announcer Jack Edwards mentioned that Lucic’s hit on Van Riemsdyk would make the highlight reel everywhere for about a decade, but fans will still watch it in 2026. Lucic finished the 2008-09 season recording 42 points.
A Season Forever Remembered
Bruin fans will forever remember the 2010-11 season as the team won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1972. Lucic played an important role during the Bruins’ season, recording 30 goals and 62 points, both career-highs for a single season. In the 2011 playoffs, Lucic recorded 12 points for the Bruins. However, the Bruins’ Stanley Cup win in 2011 will always be a special memory for Lucic for one reason.
The Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks in seven games. Lucic, a Vancouver native, got to celebrate the Bruins’ championship as the team’s Cup-clinching win took place at Rogers Arena in Vancouver in Game 7. Arguably, the biggest moment of Lucic’s 2011 playoff performance was when he scored 6:06 into Game 6 in the Stanley Cup Finals against Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead, which was a four-goal first period for the Bruins.
Not Afraid to Run a Goaltender Over
Despite winning the Stanley Cup in 2011, there’s a moment from the same calendar year that fans may remember Lucic the most, which occurred in November. It was in a game against the Buffalo Sabres that Lucic earned the hatred of the entire city of Buffalo on Nov. 12, 2011.
Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller was one of the top goaltenders in the NHL at the time. However, after clearing the puck away, Miller was knocked down by Lucic. Miller’s helmet was knocked off on the hit. After the hit, Buffalo players retaliated against Lucic, prompting a scrum. To this day, Lucic’s hit on Miller will be remembered as one of the most brutal hits on a goaltender.
2013 Playoff Year
2013 will forever be a bittersweet year for Bruin fans. While the Bruins made the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals on an incredible run, the team lost painfully at home in Game 6 to the Chicago Blackhawks, ending the series. Even with losing the series, 2013 is still remembered by many people in Boston today. Lucic was a big reason why the Bruins reached the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals.
Lucic recorded 19 points, which were tied with Nathan Horton for the second-most on the Bruins’ roster during the 2013 playoffs. Lucic was there for big moments when the Bruins needed him most; his goal to cut the deficit to 4-3 in Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs against the Maple Leafs was arguably the biggest during that playoff year. Against the Blackhawks, Lucic also recorded a three-point game and scored twice in Game 1, and scored the go-ahead goal to put the Bruins up 2-1 late in the third period in Game 6 before losing.
Hate for the Habs
The Bruins won the 2014 Presidents’ Trophy, but the season ended painfully when the team fell to the hated Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of the second round. The Bruins-Canadiens rivalry has seen so many intense moments in history. One of which included Lucic following the series’ end.
On the handshake line, Lucic wasn’t thrilled about losing to the series and shook hands with the Canadiens’ players very quickly. Lucic had words for Canadiens players Dale Weise and Alexei Emelin as they shook hands, which was rare to see during a handshake line.
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