Veteran forward Milan Lucic has signed a professional tryout (PTO) with the Springfield Thunderbirds, AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, as he chases an NHL return at age 37. The 6-foot-3 enforcer joins the T-Birds’ bottom-six, bringing grit and leadership to their Atlantic Division push.
Lucic, a 2006 second-round pick by Boston, was a key part of the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup win. Over 17 NHL seasons with Boston, Los Angeles, Edmonton, and Calgary, he’s tallied 586 points (233 goals, 353 assists) in 1,177 games, plus 1,301 penalty minutes—cementing his tough-guy legacy. Playoff contributor with 77 points in 136 games, Lucic also captained Canada’s 2007 World Junior gold.
This summer, he signed a PTO with St. Louis, impressing in four preseason games (1G, 1A) before a lower-body injury derailed his roster bid. Now recovered, he aims to earn a recall. “Milan adds experience and edge,” Blues GM Doug Armstrong said.
For mid-table Springfield, Lucic could mentor prospects and spark a playoff run. Catch his T-Birds debut Friday, November 7, vs. Bridgeport at MassMutual Center (7:05 p.m. ET).
