#milan-lucic

#milan-lucic

The Elite Ice Hockey League, the top level of hockey in the U.K., doesn't get a lot of big names. NHLers who have washed out of North America tend to head to the Continent: Sweden, Finland, Russia et al., all offer more money, better facilities, and a bigger spotlight for a pro to, perhaps, play their way back to the NHL. So it's a rare day when an EIHL team signs a 17-year NHL veteran.

Former Bruins forward Milan Lucic is joining the Springfield Thunderbirds on a professional tryout, according to a team announcement on Tuesday morning. Lucic, 37, last played in the NHL for the Bruins in 2023. He had a professional tryout with the Blues earlier in 2025, but was injured in preseason and did not make the final roster before the start of the regular season.

Lucic entered the league's Player Assistance Program, completed it, and has been reinstated by the NHL. This indicates his commitment to addressing personal issues.