Milan Lucic returns home where it all began, signing a one year $1 million deal with the Boston Bruins
Who says you can't return home after all?
Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic, who was drafted by the Bruins in 2006 and played for the organization from 2007-2015, officially returned to the organization on Saturday when he signed a one year, one million dollar contract which includes up to $500,000 in performance-based incentives. Lucic returns to the Bruins after an eight year absence in which he made no secret about his desire to play for the organization that gave him the opportunity to play in the NHL.
"Obviously it's a place that's close and dear to my heart," Lucic told reporters via Zoom . "Having an opportunity to come back, you can see the smile on my face right now. It feels like I'm going home. I've always felt like I've always been a Bruin and I'm just so happy and thankful for the opportunity to be a Bruin again.
"I was there as a 19-year-old. I know I was born and raised in Vancouver, but I feel like I was really raised, became an adult, in Boston, became a Bostonian. And as time went on, I missed being a Bruin more and more as years went on."
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The Bruins bringing back Lucic is a solid move by the organization the fill a bottom six role that was vacated by the trade of Nick Foligno's rights to the Blackhawks as part of the Taylor Hall deal. Lucic may not be the 20-25 goal scorer that he once was, but his grit, toughness, leadership, and experience will be valuable to the Bruins this season.
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Lucic's return to the Bruins also brings a level of nostalgia to both fans and Boston sports media. He's a player that brought a combination of physicality and skill in the midst of a good era of Bruins hockey between 2009-2014 when he played an important role in re-establishing the identity of the Bruins as they returned to NHL prominence. It was through his physical style of play, personality, and willingness to stand up for his teammates that capture the heart of Bruins fans.
Of course, who doesn't remember the big hit Lucic put on Toronto Maple Leaf Mike Van Ryn on October 23rd, 2008.
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The love affair between Lucic and Bruins was apparent on Saturday once the news became official that Lucic is returning to Bruins. Even after the all these years and all the memories that Lucic help create as a Bruin, the bond between the player and the city of Boston never waned. Lucic was of course a part of the magical 2011 Stanley Cup championship that cemented his place in the heart of Bruins and the city of Boston.
Opening Night on October 11th will be the start of the 2023-2024 centennial season. It will also mark the return of one of the most beloved Bruins of this successful era in Bruins hockey.