The Fife Flyers have signed former Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic on a contract through the end of the 2025-26 Elite League season.
Lucic, 37, was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and later scored 586 points (233 goals, 353 assists) in 1,177 regular-season games in the world’s premier hockey competition.
The Canadian played a crucial role as the Bruins lifted the Stanley Cup in 2010-11, recording 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 25 post-season appearances.
Lucic was traded to the Los Angeles King in June 2015, spending a season in California, before signing a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers.
After three seasons as an alternate captain in Edmonton, he waived his no-move clause and was traded to the Calgary Flames.
Lucic spent four years with the Flames, before returning to Boston on a one-year, $1 million contract as an unrestricted free agent in 2023.
Milan Lucic, Fife Flyers (Image: Boston Bruins)
The Vancouver-born forward sustained an injury four games into the season, with the Bruins placing him on long-term injury reserve (LTIR).
On 18 November, Lucic was arrested following a “domestic incident” involving his wife and pled not guilty to assault and battery charges three days later.
Prosecutors dropped the charges in February 2024 after his wife refused to testify.
Lucic remained on an indefinite leave of absence through the end of his Bruins contract and also entered the NHL/NHL Players’ Association Assistance Programme.
After missing the 2024-25 season, he joined the St. Louis Blues’ organisation on a professional tryout (PTO), registering one assist in five American Hockey League appearances.
The Blues released Lucic on 25 November, with Fife announcing his signing in a quote-less press release on 17 December.
Milan Lucic’s Fife Flyers signing sparks controversy
In the days leading up to Lucic’s arrival, two prominent Flyers staffers resigned.
Gareth Chalmers, who was appointed as the club’s Chief Operating Officer in June, was the first to depart, citing “personal and professional integrity” as factors in his decisions.
“I have made the very difficult decision to tender my resignation as the Chief Operating Officer of the Fife Flyers,” wrote Chalmers on 10 December.
“Following recent developments relating to the team, there have been multiple occasions where I felt strongly compelled to advise against a certain plan.
“Despite my concerns, the club has chosen to proceed, and while differences of opinion are very much part of any sporting environment, these plans placed me at odds with the clubs direction.
“Experience has taught me that I cannot sacrifice personal and professional integrity for decisions I am opposed too.”
Gareth Chalmers (left), Fife Flyers (Image: Derek Young)
In response to Chalmers’ statement, a Flyers spokesperson wrote: “We are also aware of recent speculation regarding potential player signings. We remain mindful of the broader responsibilities that come with every decision we make, and continue to act in the best interests of the club and its future.”
“I have taken the difficult decision to step away from my role as Media Co-Ordinator with the Fife Flyers after only a few short months,” wrote Anderson on 16 December.
“It was a decision I didn’t want to have to make, but circumstances dictate that I can no longer continue in the role as more and more information becomes apparent, I can no longer support the direction the club are headed in.
“I’ve always prided myself in the media work I’ve done for the organisations I’ve worked with in the past and in the present, but when something puts you at odds with your own moral compass, you need to question that and the motivation behind it.
“With the benefit of previous experience, it’s a move I can in no way support and I have made my feelings known to the parties involved. Plus with a young daughter to consider, she needs to know I’m doing the right by her too.”
