Rookie LW Lucic to stay with Bruins

Oct 26, 2007 - 11:34 PM BOSTON (Ticker) -- It's official - Milan Lucic will remain in Beantown.

Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli on Friday announced the rookie left wing will remain with the team, ending speculation Lucic will be returned to his junior club for the rest of the season.

"I talked to Milan this morning and I told him he would be with the team for the rest of the year," Chiarelli told the Bruins' official web site. "I told him to get a place (to live). He was elated."

"I guess you could say that it's been kind of a stressful (month)," Lucic said. "But then again, I think I had good focus coming into camp. I just wanted to work hard. I wanted to be one of those players that are hard to play against - a hard worker who gives 110 percent."

A second-round pick in 2006, Lucic earned a spot on Boston's roster during training camp and has proven to be a valuable member of the club. In nine games thus far, the 19-year-old has recorded one goal, one assist and 19 penalty minutes.

"I think he's shown us enough to allow him to stay with us this year," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "We think he is capable of getting better here and certainly is capable of playing at this level."

Lucic spent his third season with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League in 2006-07, registering 30 goals and 38 assists in 70 games. The previous campaign, the 6-4, 220-pounder notched only nine tallies and 19 points.