Milan’s Canada Day – Memorable

With the NHL trading underway, it’s ironic that Vancouver born Milan Lucic (28) made a stop in Vancouver then traveled to “Oiler” country to meet up with the person who drafted him in Boston

It’s interesting to note that the Oilers would have held the 50th-overall selection in that draft, had they not moved it in a trade dead-line day trade bring Sergei Samsonov to the roster.

That year saw the Oilers make it to the Final and many probably forgot the pick they had traded in the aforementioned deal would be used by Boston to select Lucic.

Peter Chiarelli was the Bruins GM then and was in place for only a short month prior to making the pick for Lucic.

Players move and so do GM’s so fast-forward a decade later Chiarelli is now in charge of the Oilers hockey operations.

Lucic commented light-heartedly “I guess the Oilers were waiting 10 years for me to develop before I actually joined the team and I think it’s pretty cool that fate has me on the Oilers after 10 years.”

Good things come to those who wait, or so my Mother used to say, but apparently for the Oilers it was worth the wait.

Lucic had many options, but prior to heading to LA some thought he was a long-time Bruin, but that wasn’t in the cards, for either Milan or Boston.

Now the power-forward will be something that the Canucks will have to deal with on a regular basis, which will be interesting to see who takes him on.

Lucic chose to sign a seven-year deal and as one of the top player on the open market he had several options, which included teams offering up a longer term and more money.

Lucic told the media “It’s very exciting for me and my family to be part of such a great organization and obviously, there’s a lot of great history in Edmonton with the Oilers.”

He continued “It’s something that’s real cool and awesome to be a part of. To wear the same jersey as some of the game’s best ever is a pretty special thing. I hope I can do the best I can to help bring back the winning ways these Oilers fans deserve.”

There were several factors that contributed to sign in Edmonton with one being of them being upcoming NHL star Connor McDavid, who was only nine years of age in 2006.

Milan told the media “Getting a chance to play with a player like Connor McDavid doesn’t come around too often and I think that’s what it ultimately got down to in making this decision. It was a chance to play with one of the best players in this generation.”

Speculation is that Lucic will be on the same line as McDavid this upcoming season, which for Milan can only add to his total, never mind being his “body-guard”.

Lucic who has played in 647 career games has 159 goals and 238 assists for a total of 397 points as well as 64 points in 101 playoff appearances.

It was probably more of the connection with Chiarelli that brought him to “Oiler Country”, but in the end it might be playing with McDavid and Adam Larsson that helped Lucic pick Edmonton.

Having a past with him and having loyalty to him and knowing what he can do as a builder is something that I really trust and really look forward to,” the newly-signed player said.

Lucic’s and Chiarelli day’s in Boston went full-circle and with Milan in Edmonton, he’s hoping to win another Stanley Cup.

Considering Chiarelli’s off-season no one can second guess picking Lucic is wrong for the organization, unless you live in Vancouver or Toronto!

Lucic, in a way, is built to match up against the Pacific Division. He got a taste of it in 2015-16, scoring 20 goals and adding 35 assists in 81 games for the Los Angeles Kings.

In 2006, the Oilers traded a pick in search of a playoff push, now 2016 see’s that pick comes back to help fill the rink.

Sportswave has had many dealing with Milan and we wish him all the best!