The St. Louis Blues and Springfield Thunderbirds have announced that forward Milan Lucic has been released from his AHL Professional Tryout (PTO) contract. Lucic initially signed the PTO with the Blues during training camp, where he scored two goals in four preseason games before suffering an injury. The 37-year-old then joined the Thunderbirds on a separate PTO, contributing one assist over five AHL games.
Lucic was originally selected in the second round of the 2006 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins. Over his NHL career, he posted 233 goals and 586 points across 1,177 games, highlighted by a Stanley Cup victory with Boston in 2011 and a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2023 World Championship. His last NHL appearance was in October 2023, after which he took an indefinite leave to enter the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He was also arrested in November 2023, though the domestic violence charges were dropped in February 2024.
Fan Take: Milan Lucic’s release is notable because it signals a significant moment in the career of a well-known veteran player who has faced both on-ice challenges and off-ice issues. For hockey fans, it’s a reminder of the pressures athletes face and highlights the importance of support programs for players dealing with personal difficulties, which can ultimately impact the sport’s community and culture.
