Former NHL player Milan Lucic has joined the Fife Flyers in the British Elite Ice Hockey League, as confirmed by the team on Thursday. A Vancouver native, Lucic, 37, boasts a career that includes 1,177 NHL regular-season games and a Stanley Cup win with the Boston Bruins in 2011. Throughout his career, he has also played for the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames.
Prior to signing with the Fife Flyers, Lucic had a brief stint with the St. Louis Blues’ AHL affiliate in Springfield on a professional tryout, where he tallied one assist in five games with the Springfield Thunderbirds. In 2023, Lucic faced charges related to an alleged domestic incident involving his wife, Brittany Carnegie, but the case was subsequently dropped after Carnegie chose not to testify.
The announcement of Lucic’s signing has sparked criticism from domestic abuse advocates in Scotland and coincided with the resignations of two high-ranking Fife Flyers officials. Scottish Women’s Aid expressed concerns over the decision, stating that sports clubs hiring players accused of violence against women send the wrong message and have a significant impact on society.
Gareth Chalmers, the chief operating officer of the Fife Flyers, recently resigned, citing disagreements with the club’s direction following recent events. Media consultant Craig Anderson also stepped down from his role, expressing his inability to support the club’s trajectory. Lucic, who returned to play earlier this year after completing the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, will wear jersey number 8 for the Flyers once paperwork formalities are completed.
Established in 1938, the Fife Flyers are the oldest active ice hockey team in the United Kingdom and currently rank last in the ten-team British Elite League standings. Lucic’s signing comes amidst increased scrutiny of off-ice behavior in British ice hockey, exemplified by the recent departure of Sheffield Steelers forward Cliff Pu, who was released from the team after admitting guilt to two counts of assault against a woman.
