A surprising turn of events sees former Boston Bruins star Milan Lucic joining the Springfield Thunderbirds on a professional tryout. This news has sent ripples through the hockey world, sparking both curiosity and reflection.
According to a Tuesday morning announcement, Lucic, now 37 years old, is taking a shot at a comeback with the Thunderbirds, an affiliate of the St. Louis Blues. But here's where it gets controversial...
Lucic's last NHL appearance was in 2023 with the Bruins. Earlier in 2025, he had a professional tryout with the Blues, but unfortunately, a preseason injury prevented him from making the final roster.
Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong shared back in October that the team planned to help Lucic recover fully, aiming for a potential in-season tryout to assess his readiness.
Lucic's journey in professional hockey is quite the story. Drafted by the Bruins as a second-round pick back in 2006, he was a key player in Boston's Stanley Cup victory in 2011. He also played for the Kings, Oilers, and Flames before returning to the Bruins in 2023.
And this is the part most people miss... Just three weeks after being placed on long-term injured reserve during that season, Lucic was arrested in Boston on suspicion of assault and battery of his wife. While the charges were eventually dropped after his wife declined to testify, the situation brought significant attention to his personal life.
He subsequently participated in the NHL's player assistance program, which he completed, as confirmed by the Blues over the summer.
Throughout his career, Lucic has played in a remarkable 1,177 NHL regular-season games since his debut in 2007. He has amassed 586 points, with 233 goals and 353 assists, along with 1,301 penalty minutes.
Hayden Bird, a sports staff writer for Boston.com since 2016, is the author of this piece.
What are your thoughts on Lucic's return to the ice? Do you think he'll be able to make a successful comeback? Share your opinions in the comments below!
