Calgary Chapter of the PHWA on Milan Lucic
In the early stages of the 2019-20 NHL campaign, initially struggling to find his fit with a new team, Calgary Flames forward Milan Lucic considered quitting. As he put it then, "It just wasn't fun for me anymore." This winter, with that rocky patch in his rearview mirror, he joined the NHL's 1,000-game club - a testament to his talent, perseverance and durability.
Not many guys wind up with a silver-stick on their wall, especially those who play the sort of hard-nosed, crash-and-bang style that has been a hallmark for Lucic through his 14 seasons at hockey's highest level. The 32-year-old is now a fixture on the third line in Calgary. He's an important locker-room presence for the Flames and has also provided some secondary scoring pop, inching towards double-digits in goals.
Lucic is almost always wearing a scowl on the ice but has talked often about being able to smile through the challenges and grind of professional hockey, a valuable message especially when it is coming from somebody who pondered hanging up his skates and calling it a career last season. He has also been open and honest about the heartbreak of losing his father to suicide six years ago. Thanks to his perseverance and dedication to his craft, Lucic is a worthy candidate for the Masterton Trophy, as nominated by the Calgary chapter of the PHWA.
- Professional Hockey Writers Association
