Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic has entered a not guilty plea after being released on personal recognizance bail on Tuesday. He faced allegations of assaulting his wife.
According to a report from the Boston Police Department, officers responded to Lucic’s North End apartment in an early Saturday incident. Lucic’s wife reported an altercation during which he allegedly attempted to choke her. Brittany Lucic, his wife, disclosed that her husband had pulled her hair but denied any strangulation attempt. She declined medical treatment.
Lucic, a member of the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup championship team, was arrested on suspicion of assault and battery on a family member, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 2½ years in prison.
During his arraignment on Tuesday, Lucic did not address the court. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf, and a pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for January 19. As a condition of his bail, Lucic is prohibited from abusing the alleged victim and consuming alcohol.
The judge approved a motion from Lucic’s attorney allowing him to attend the next hearing via video call.
Lucic’s agent has not responded to inquiries for comment. The Vancouver native, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 236 pounds, has been sidelined since October 21 due to injury and has recorded two assists in four games this season.
The Boston Bruins announced on Saturday that Lucic would be taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team. While Coach Jim Montgomery and captain Brad Marchand expressed their willingness to provide support to Lucic’s family, they refrained from making further comments regarding the arrest.
