Boston Bruins Notebook

Interview with Milan Lucic

October 23, 2008

By Darryl Houston Smith

Many younger teams take a while to reach their strides and the 2008-09 editions of the Bruins and the Maple Leafs are no different. During last Thursday night, the Bruins did not get off to a flying start against the new-look Toronto Maple Leafs (who were coming off five consecutive losses). The Leafs should have been easy pickings but the Bruins could not manage a shot on target until midway thru the first period (they would be outshot 37-28). Despite being out worked (a cardinal sin for any Bruins team), the B’s held a slender two goal advantage as Patrice Bergeron scored his first goal in over a year and young Blake Wheeler potted the second of his rookie season. In the end, the Leafs were able to make several defensive adjustments, score four unanswered goals and end up as 4-2 victors.

But not before the human maelstrom known as Milan Lucic would give the Bruins faithful yet another glimpse of his tantalizing future. Looking to spark his tired looking club, Lucic delivered one of the most spectacular hits of his young career in what is destined to go down in Boston lore as “The Hit” and be replayed on all Hockey Night In Canada broadcasts for quite some time to come.

A scant 20 seconds into the second period, Lucic lined up 29-year-old defenseman Mike Van Ryn perfectly and drilled him through the plexiglass above the dasher. With a shower of plexiglass pebbles Lucic announced that the Bruins were not to be pushed around on this -- or any other -- ice surface. To his credit, Van Ryn collected himself after shaking the pebbles out of his blue and white sweater and remained in the game. He even scored the first Toronto goal of the evening just a few minutes after the break once the Bruins bull-gang replaced the shattered glass.

The following game against the Thrashers saw the other side of Milan Lucic on display when the young 20-year-old scored his first NHL hat-trick using the soft hands, timing and brute strength that have become his trademark. The Thrashers had no answers for defending Lucic and went down to defeat, 5-4.

Prior to these games -- which put to rest any rumors of Lucic’s slow season start -- I chatted with the 2007-08 Bruins Seventh Player award winner.

Houston Smith: What advice would you give Blake Wheeler and Matt Hunwick or any younger player about life in the NHL?

Lucic: Well, that question would be easier for an older guy to answer. As a young guy, I would say just have fun with it. It is an honor and a dream to be playing in this league and that’s the way you have to look at it. You’ve got to treat it that you’re lucky to be here every day and you have to work hard to stay here.

Houston Smith: What was the moment or event that led you to believe that you could have an NHL career?

Lucic: There’s a bunch of moments. For me last year, the situation was a bit different than this year. If I played 10 games, they were required to keep me around for a year. Once that happened and after some guys got injured, I was able to play more and produce more. I say it happened in December, I showed myself that I could be an NHL player.

Houston Smith: You are of Serbian descent. What was your upbringing like in East Vancouver?

Lucic: I would say it was good. Sometimes it could get a little bit rough in East Vancouver. But I had good friends and family, a good environment that helped steer me in the right direction. I give them a lot of credit for that.

Houston Smith: Was there a large Serbian community there?

Lucic: It’s quite big. I can’t give you a number, but it’s pretty good. There are Serbian community events and we had our own community hall where we hold our get-togethers.

Houston Smith: Is there anything special? Are there saint days?

Lucic: We’re Christian Orthodox. Every family has a saint and every family celebrates its saint on a different day. It’s something handed down from generation to generation. For our family, it’s Saint Sava whose saint day is on January 27th.

Houston Smith: I don’t know if you know it or not, but you have set a family NHL record.

Lucic: I did, which one?

Houston Smith: You topped your uncle, Dan Kesa’s 8 goals in 139 games when you scored your 9th goal in 81. Did your uncle influence your career at all?

Lucic: Yes, my uncle was somebody I looked up to and somebody I always wanted to be like. I wanted to be a hockey player just like he was. Every summer he’d come home and you’d see how hard he worked to be where he was at.

Houston Smith: Last year, you had 13 fighting majors. Has Bruins Coach Claude Julien spoken to you about cutting down on the rough housing?

Lucic: You know, he told me to be smart and to pick your spots. Don't go in the box unnecessarily. For me, it's just a part of my game.

Houston Smith: Do people recognize you when you go out in Boston?

Lucic: Yeah, I would say so. Usually there are a couple of people who recognize me when I go out. At the beginning of the year last year, nobody knew who I was, but as the season went on, I got more and more recognized.

Houston Smith: We can’t do this without talking about the Metallica concert in Boston. I know you’re a big fan. Are you going?

Lucic: If we are here, yes, I will definitely go. I haven’t checked the schedule yet. I’ve never seen them in concert.

Houston Smith: Do you have a favorite album?

Lucic: I like their new one and all their early stuff is really good.

Houston Smith: You once talked about Tim McGraw’s “Live like you were dying.” Does that song still have special meaning for you?

Lucic: I think the message of the song is pretty clear. Live life to its fullest and do what you want to do and be happy all the time with how you live.

Houston Smith: The 2006 NHL Entry draft contained many fine players such as Erik Johnson, Jordan Staal, Nicklas Backstrom, Jonathan Toews and Phil Kessel. You have now played 82 NHL games. Only 7 other players of the Class of 2006 have even played as much as 70 and they were all Top 10 picks. What do you feel are the main reasons for your success?

Lucic: I feel that I had a strong junior year the year after the draft with the Giants, helping them win a Memorial Cup. I really didn't think I would be in the NHL last year but I always thought in the back of my mind that I could be there. I really worked hard and took it day by day to put myself in the position so that if I made the team I could succeed. That was the attitude and direction I took forward coming into the NHL.

Houston Smith: Speaking of winning the Memorial Cup. How awesome was that?

Lucic: It WAS awesome. It was probably one of the ten best days I will ever have in my hockey career. Obviously, when you win a championship like that it gives you such a great feeling. It’s a good thing to have and I think it has only made me stronger as a player and as a person. You want to get back to that winning feeling and hopefully I can feel that again with the Boston Bruins.

The Bear has awakened - By Darryl Houston Smith, NHL Analyst for Rotowire

Oct 01, 2008

“Starting off with a real healthy squad has convinced me that this team is a better team than last year,” said Bruins Claude Julien. I have to agree with him. The addition of a healthy Patrice Bergeron has already made a significant impact in pre-season play. GM Peter Chiarelli deserves a lot of credit for the addition of a trio of youngsters -- Blake Wheeler, Matt Lashoff and Matt Hunwick. These trio plus veterans Michael Ryder and Stephane Yelle have really set the tone for the most exciting Bruins training camp in recent memory.

“It all started when Peter came aboard, then Claude and Cam,” said Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs went on to say that “we went from an old team to a young team management style. Like the [NFL’s New England] Patriots we made the decision to build a better team over time.” The Bruins have done a great job at adding youthful talent while at the same time maintaining a very competitive team that is one of the toughest to play against in the NHL. The Bruins will continue to feature an aggressive forechecking game and, with a healthy Bergeron, young Blake Wheeler and Vladimir Sobotka, the Bruins finally have enough firepower to effectively counter attack.

The Bruins were only one win from making the second round of the playoffs last year. They have improved in three main areas.

1. Goaltending will be much improved when Manny Fernandez is finally completely healthy. Manny will be the No.2 to All-Star netminder Tim Thomas to form one of the NHL’s best 1-2 tandems. Both goalies are aggressive and tend to be very flashy. Their hybrid butterfly-style relies on quickness and adaptability.

2. Scouting. Boston is starting to attract players such as Wheeler, Yelle and Ryder. “I feel that Boston has turned the corner in terms of respect around the league,” said Cam Neely.

3. Coaching. The man behind the bench continues to be a strength for the Bruins. Since Claude Julien’s arrival, he has fostered a competitive and, ultimately, a unified environment. As it was last year -- with the notable exceptions of Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, Marc Savard and Marco Sturm -- few jobs have been “pre-won.” Youth will once again be served and ability, not contract size, will be the determining factor in who makes the team. Coach Julien has brought much needed structure (Julien's box-plus-one defensive formation is a good example) and has stressed teamwork, chemistry and selflessness since Day 1.

The Bruins still must make some difficult cuts. Said Julien "There are some young guys we haven't seen much and we'll give a last look to in these final games.” He went on to say that "The reason we're this high in numbers at this late date is that there still are players who have been really impressive and deserved to stick around." Making matters tougher is that Cap issues might force the Bruins to make a big trade. There has been talk of trading Marc Savard (has a no trade clause) for a No. 1 offensive minded defenseman but this remains an unconfirmed rumor although it has not been ruled out by the Bruins. Another candidate for the block is Peter Schaefer. I asked Coach Julien how he felt about the play of Peter Schaefer and Julien said “that he was pleased with the play of Schaefer in the second half of last season and that he was approaching that level again before he got hurt again against the Detroit Red Wings.” Despite Julien’s continued faith in his abilities the fact is Schaefer finished they season with only 9 goals and at $2.1 million will have few takers. I feel that Schaefer may soon find himself released in order to make cap room for Blake Wheeler. This would allow the Bruins to retain their leading scorer Marc Savard and remain a couple of million under the cap which would allow Chiarelli some much need flexibility in the trade market.

In any case the 2008-09 Bruins will feature Norris finalist Zdeno Chara, two first class lines, two solid “blue-collar” lines, and, with the return of Albert Andrews, about four other NHL above-average defensemen and one very dependable goalie. The ownership has also committed more money than ever before and continues to make investments in the long term success of the club both on and off the ice. Cam Neely confirmed that the Bruins management has discussed upgrading their current practice facilities in Wilmington. The Jacobs, Peter Chiarelli, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely and Claude Julien represent a formidable front office -- the equal of any in the NHL.

For the Bruins to take the next step towards winning sport’s most difficult trophy, they must improve their ability to win the close games. Last year the Bruins were 18-21 in one goal games. Surprisingly, they were 12-7 in two goal games including an amazing 7-1 mark (best in NHL) on the road. The record was a disappointing 11-13 in games decided by three goals or more. Game 6 against Montreal in the first round of the playoffs last season saw the return of the passion and power that once made the Bruins one of the most feared teams in the league. The Bear has awakened.

2008-09 Boston Bruins Roster

Goalies (3): Manny Fernandez, Tim Thomas, Tuukka Rask

Defensemen (9): Andrew Alberts, Zdeno Chara, Andrew Ference, Matt Lashoff, Shane Hnidy, Matt Hunwick, Mark Stuart, Aaron Ward, Dennis Wideman

Forwards (16): P.J. Axelsson, Patrice Bergeron, Phil Kessel, Chuck Kobasew, David Krejci, Milan Lucic, Peter Nokelainen, Jeremy Reich, Michael Ryder, Marc Savard, Peter Schaefer, Vladimir Sobotka, Marco Sturm, Shawn Thornton, Blake Wheeler*, Stephane Yelle - *denotes rookie.

Article first appeared in Rotowire 10/2/08

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