Features

Photo Credit: Kerry Brett

BY JONATHAN SOROFF

Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic, 22, was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. Now in his fourth season with the team, he attended Killarney Secondary before playing minor league hockey in his hometown. Lucic nearly quit the game after being passed over in the 2003 bantam draft, but was recruited by the Bruins at the age of 18 and currently leads the team in scoring. He was named to the NHL’s YoungStars roster in 2008, and at the end of the season became just the 10th rookie in team history to win the Seventh Player Award. He lives in the North End. 

Jonathan Soroff: How do you pronounce your name?
Milan Lucic: “Loo-cheech,” like Cheech and Chong.

Is 17 your lucky number?
I was born on June 7, so I like to keep a 7 in my number. I was always 27, but when I came to the Bruins 27 was taken, so I went with 17.

Why are all hockey players such huge golfers?
Not all of them are. I’ve seen Zdeno Chara hit a ball, and he’s not very good at it. But it’s a challenging sport, and hockey players like challenges. It’s also a similar motion to taking a hockey shot.

Do you have all your own teeth?
Yes, I do, thankfully and luckily.

Favorite karaoke song to perform?
It really depends on the crowd. But I’ll probably go with “Beer for My Horses” by Toby Keith.

How good are you on the saxophone?
I was the lead alto in our concert band in high school. But I haven’t played in six years.

Stan Getz, Charlie Parker or John Coltrane?
Coltrane.

Any game rituals you always perform?
I put my gear on the exact same way every time. I also like to tap my stick three times before I go on the ice
every period.

Are you a gadget freak like your teammates?
No. Everyone on the team is except me.

Do you have a lot of groupies?
There are plenty around, but I have a girlfriend.

So what’s the most annoying thing they do?
When they write their number down on a slip of paper and give it to you. Aggressive things like that are annoying.

Are you a good cook?
No, to be honest, but that’s part of the reason I live in the North End.

Best-dressed Bruin?
Greg Campbell.

Player you idolize or try to emulate?
The guy I try to model my game after is Jarome Iginla, who plays for Calgary. He’s a real good power forward who puts up a lot of points. He hits and he fights, and he’s a great captain on his team. He’s almost a perfect player in my eyes.

Is fighting an intrinsic part of hockey?
For me it is.

Do you consider yourself an enforcer?
I don’t, but being a big guy, and growing up with two brothers, I had to fight. So I never shy away from it. I won’t take crap from anybody.

Thing you miss most about Vancouver?
The guys I grew up with. I have a great group of friends I get to go home to in the summer. But there are a lot of similarities between Boston and Vancouver, with the water and all that.

Thing you like most about Boston?
It’s a great city because of all the history. It’s not every city where you get to see bricks that were there during the Revolution. It’s also a great walking city, which is something I love to do. In the North End, I love hanging out at places like Caffé Vittoria or Dello Sport, having a coffee.

Think you’ll ever be on Dancing With the Stars?
I would if they asked.

Movie or TV show that always makes you cry?
Armageddon with Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck.

Could you be a figure skater if you tried?
No. Anyone on the team will tell you that I’m not very good at skating backwards.

First thought you had when the Bruins drafted you?
It was a shock, because I had no idea they were interested in me. I knew nothing about the team or its history, other than Ray Bourque or Cam Neely. I just knew it was a good opportunity.

What are your thoughts on the website Milan Lucic’s Girlfriend?
I absolutely hate it, because everything on there is false.

If you had quit hockey when you were passed over in the 2003 bantam draft, what would you be doing now?
Probably working with my dad and brother as a longshoreman at the Vancouver ports.

Any chance you’ll get a college degree?
I would like to, but probably not.

Your reputation as a fighter: fair or unfair?
A little bit of both.

Anyone you’d never fight?
If I was playing against Chara I wouldn’t. Because when he’s mad, he’s a big mean man.

Any nicknames?
People have been calling me “Looch” since I was 16, but there are some guys who call me Gino. They just thought I looked like a Gino.

Are there any gay players in the NHL?
Maybe one or two. I don’t see how there could be, but I don’t see how there couldn’t.

What would happen if one of your teammates came out?
It would be kind of weird, but for myself, I’d accept it. If he’s a good guy, he’s a good guy. That’s basically it for me.

Favorite reporter or sportscaster who covers the Bruins?
Kathryn Tappen. She’s so nice every time I see her.

Thing you always do after a game?
I like to have a steam or a sauna. That’s it for me.

Hair: Kim Bingham for Marc Harris