WHL, Stanley Cup champion Lucic retires after 17 NHL seasons
Power forward Milan Lucic, who won a WHL Championship and Memorial Cup title as a member of the Vancouver Giants prior to hoisting the Stanley Cup as a member of the Boston Bruins, announced his retirement from pro hockey on Sunday.
Lucic, 38, made the announcement via the NHL Players Association.
“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,” Lucic said in a statement.
“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.”
The 6-foot-3, 231-pound Lucic, who hails from Vancouver, B.C., spent two seasons as a member of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants. During his rookie season in 2005-06, he emerged as an impact player during the playoffs, registering seven points (3G-4A) in 18 games as the Giants claimed the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL Champions. At the 2006 NHL Draft, the Bruins called Lucic’s name during the second round (50th overall). He broke out during the 2006-07 WHL campaign, recording 68 points (30G-38A) in 70 games, adding another 19 points (7G-12A) in 22 WHL Playoff games.
Though the Giants fell in Game 7 of the WHL Championship, they went on to win the Memorial Cup as tournament hosts. Lucic tallied seven points (2G-5A) in five games and was presented with the Stafford Smythe Trophy as Most Valuable Player of the 2007 Memorial Cup. Part of Lucic’s championship performance included “The Shift” – where he laid out three heavy hits before taking on Jordan Bendfeld in a spirited heavyweight tilt.
Upon finishing his days with the Giants, Lucic made the immediate jump to the NHL, dressing in 77 games with the Bruins as an NHL rookie in 2007-08.
He spent the first eight seasons of his NHL career with the Bruins, helping Boston win the Stanley Cup in 2011. The 2010-11 season goes into the books as the best of Lucic’s career – he logged 62 points (30G-32A) in 79 regular season games and added another 12 points (5G-7A) during post-season play.
Lucic was once again impactful as the Bruins advanced to the Stanley Cup in 2013. The bruising winger posted 19 points (7G-12A) in 22 games, though Boston ultimately fell in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Over the course of 17 NHL seasons, Lucic posted five 20-goal campaigns. Following his time with the Bruins, he made stops with the Los Angeles Kings (2015-16), Edmonton Oilers (2016-17 to 2018-19) and Calgary Flames (2019-20 to 2022-23), before returning to Boston in 2023-24.
“Later in my career, I had the privilege of playing with some exceptional organizations in Los Angeles, Edmonton, and Calgary,” Lucic said. “I look back with fondness at the time I spent with each organization and for the remarkable teammates I had the pleasure of playing alongside.
“I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all the coaches, staff and fans from each team I was apart of. I also want to thank my agent, Gerry Johannson, for his guidance during my playing days.”
After a five-game American Hockey League tryout with the Springfield Thunderbirds this past season, Lucic wrapped up his professional career by playing 26 games with the Fife Flyers of the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom.
At the end of the road, Lucic’s ledger includes 1,177 career NHL regular season games, having scored 586 points (233G-353A), along with another 136 Stanley Cup playoff games and 77 points (29G-48A).
Lucic was the first player in Vancouver Giants history to reach 1,000 NHL games played, accomplishing the feat April 13, 2021. Prior to winning the Stanley Cup in 2011, he was named to the Vancouver Giants ring of honour.
In 2023, he represented Canada at the IIHF World Championship and helped his nation to a gold medal finish.
Milan Lucic is officially announcing his retirement following 1,177 career NHL games played – wishing all the best to the 2010-11 #StanleyCup champ👏 pic.twitter.com/X4QF1dWqt3
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) June 7, 2026
Milan Lucic has announced his retirement from professional hockey.
From Vancouver, British Columbia, Milan played junior hockey with his hometown Vancouver Giants of the WHL beginning in the 2004-05 season. Milan was selected by the Boston Bruins in the second round of the 2006… pic.twitter.com/4F62rLtPEE
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) June 8, 2026
