Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic faced a judge on Tuesday following his arrest over the weekend. He is facing charges stemming from a domestic incident involving his wife. Lucic pleaded not guilty to assault and battery on a family member and was released on personal recognizance with a return court date of January 19, 2024.
According to the victim, the incident began when Lucic couldn’t find his cell phone after returning home from a night out drinking. He allegedly began yelling and demanding the phone, and then grabbed his wife’s hair and pulled it backward when she attempted to walk away.
Lucic, a 17-year NHL veteran, appeared at Boston Municipal Court wearing a black suit and tie, and a white dress shirt, however, did not provide an explanation to officers on the broken lamp and shards of glass found in his apartment. He has been placed on long-term IR due to a puck to the ankle.
On the heels of the arrest, the Boston Bruins announced that Lucic was taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team, which is being supported by the head coach, Jim Montgomery. Drafted by the team in 2006, Lucic has been a fan favorite in Boston due to his physical, bruising presence on the team’s forward lines.
During his leave, he his required to avoid alcohol consumption until the case is resolved.