Bruins star Milan Lucic appeared in Boston Municipal Court on Tuesday on assault and battery charges.
The NHL veteran is accused of strangling his wife and was arrested last week. His team has said he is on indefinite leave.
WBZ’s Tiffany Chan said Monday that Lucic’s wife “called 911 and told Boston police that her husband had assaulted and strangled her.” Sources told her that “Lucic looked drunk.”
In a statement released Saturday, the Bruins provided no details about the incident other than to say the organization is aware of the situation and “takes these matters very seriously.”
The team said it would work with Lucic’s family to provide any support and assistance needed.
Milan Lucic enters #Boston Municipal Court and his attorney are facing assault and battery charges. The @NHLBruins veteran winger is accused of pulling his wife’s hair and pulling her back #North end apartment beginning Saturday. Police say Lucic appeared intoxicated. pic.twitter.com/nIJzCb4RVU
— Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) November 21, 2023
Milan Lucic’s recent arrest came after he strangled his wife, she told Boston police
Lucic, 35, is a veteran of more than 1,300 NHL games with the Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames.
He won the Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011 and is back with the team after signing a one-year free agent contract worth $1 million last summer, with $500,000 in potential additional incentives.
The Vancouver native hasn’t played since Oct. 21 due to injury.
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said Monday that he had not spoken to Lucic and would refrain from providing further details out of respect for privacy.
When asked how we can prevent the situation from impacting the team, Montgomery said, “Our culture here is great and we care about each other.
‘That means it’s not a normal day. But we are professionals and we have a game to play. We have to prepare for it.’