Full Breakdown
Milan Lucic Retires After 17 NHL Seasons
6/8/2026, 10:31:57 PM
Retirement Announcement on His 38th Birthday
On Sunday, his 38th birthday, forward Milan Lucic announced his retirement from the NHL. The decision ends a 17-season career that encompassed 1,177 regular-season games, 586 points (233 goals, 353 assists) and 1,301 penalty minutes. Lucic’s final NHL appearance came in October 2023, when he recorded an assist in a 4–2 Boston win over the Los Angeles Kings.
Career Overview and Milestones
Selected 50th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2006 NHL Draft, Lucic debuted as a 19-year-old in the 2007-08 season. He helped Boston capture the 2010-11 Stanley Cup, contributing five goals and 12 points in 25 playoff games, including the Game 7 victory over the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. Lucic posted career highs of 30 goals and 62 points in that championship season. He later played for the Los Angeles Kings (2015-16), signed a seven-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers (2016-19), and was traded to the Calgary Flames (2019-23). On April 13 2021 he recorded an assist in his 1,000th NHL game, a 3-2 overtime win against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Chronological Timeline of Lucic’s NHL Tenure
- 2006 – Drafted 50th overall by Boston.
- 2007-08 – Makes NHL debut with the Bruins.
- 2010-11 – Wins Stanley Cup; posts 30 goals, 62 points.
- June 26 2015 – Traded to the Los Angeles Kings.
- July 1 2016 – Signs seven-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers.
- July 19 2019 – Traded to the Calgary Flames.
- April 13 2021 – Reaches 1,000-game milestone.
- July 1 2023 – Returns to Boston on a one-year, $1 million contract.
- Oct 21 2023 – Records final NHL assist.
- Summer 2024 – Signs a professional tryout with the St. Louis Blues; appears in five AHL games for Springfield before release in November.
- 2025 – Completes a short stint with the Fife Flyers (Scotland) before announcing retirement.
Career Statistics
- Regular season: 1,177 games, 586 points (233 G, 353 A), 1,301 PIM.
- Playoffs: 136 games, 77 points (12 G, 65 A).
Impact and Legacy
Lucic was renowned for his physical “power-forward” style, combining size, aggression and scoring ability. His role in Boston’s 2011 championship cemented his reputation as a clutch performer, while his longevity—spanning four franchises and a thousand-game career—illustrates durability in a demanding league.
Official Statements & Responses
In a statement released through the NHL Players’ Association, Lucic expressed gratitude for fulfilling his childhood dream and thanked the Bruins for launching his professional path. He also acknowledged the “exceptional organizations” of Los Angeles, Edmonton and Calgary, and extended appreciation to coaches, staff, fans, his agent Gerry Johannson, and his family for their support throughout his career.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Looking back on my career, I feel truly grateful to have fulfilled my dream of playing professional hockey, culminating with a Stanley Cup win in 2011 with the Boston Bruins,” — Milan Lucic
- “I want to especially thank the Bruins for giving me my start in professional hockey and for instilling the confidence to reach new heights as a player.” — Milan Lucic
- “Later in my career, I had the privilege of playing with some exceptional organizations in Los Angeles, Edmonton and Calgary.” — Milan Lucic
- “I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all the coaches, staff and fans from each team I was a part of,” — Milan Lucic
- “I also want to thank my agent, Gerry Johannson, for his guidance during my playing days.” — Milan Lucic
Future Outlook
Lucic’s retirement concludes a distinguished playing career. Having completed his final professional stint overseas, he now looks to pursue opportunities beyond the ice, drawing on the experience and relationships built over nearly two decades in hockey.
