After graduating from junior, Lukowich was traded from the Islanders to the Dallas Stars for a third round pick in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft on June 1, 1996. He played in the Stars' system with the Michigan K-Wings of the International Hockey League (IHL) in his first three professional seasons, earning NHL call-ups with the Stars in 1997–98 and 1998–99. Lukowich participated in the Stars' 1999 Stanley Cup championship win, appearing in eight games during the playoffs, but did not qualify to have his name added to the Cup. In 1999–2000, he remained with the Stars full-time and recorded four points over 60 games in his NHL rookie season, averaging nearly 12 minutes of ice time.