Bruins forward Milan Lucic pleads not guilty to charges of assault and battery on his wife

Jim Morelli,Daniel Coates

November 21, 2023 at 7:00 PM·4 min read

Oops!
Something went wrong.
Please try again later.

Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic walked into Boston Municipal Court on Tuesday morning to face a judge following his weekend arrest that stemmed from a domestic incident involving his wife.

Police report details arrest of Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic

Lucic, a 17-year NHL veteran, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault and battery on a family member. He was ultimately released on personal recognizance with a return to court date of Jan. 19, 2024.

According to the Bruins organization, Lucic made the decision to enter the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program while he remains on indefinite leave from the team.

Sporting a black suit, a black tie, and a white dress shirt, Lucic was ushered by court officers into the hearing room, where prosecutors detailed the facts and circumstances of his arrest.

Officers responding to a report of an assault and battery at 50 Battery Steet in Boston just after 1 a.m. on Saturday spoke in the lobby of the building with Lucic’s wife, who claimed her husband tried to choke her, a prosecutor said as he read from a Boston Police Department report.

The victim said that Lucic couldn’t find his cell phone after returning home from a night out drinking and that he began yelling and demanding the phone, the prosecutor stated. The victim told Lucic that she didn’t know where the phone was and attempted to walk away when he allegedly grabbed her hair and pulled it backward.

An officer noted that he observed redness on the victim’s chest and that she stated Lucic didn’t attempt to strangle her during the incident, according to the prosecutor.

The officer and a sergeant subsequently went to Lucic’s apartment, where he “appeared intoxicated when he answered the door,” the prosecutor said. There was also said to be a broken lamp on a nightstand and shards of glass on his bedroom floor.

“He stated to officers that nothing had happened and did not attempt to provide any explanation,” police wrote of Lucic in the report.

Lucic was informed of the allegations against him and he was taken into custody without incident.

‘Very concerned and upset’: Marchand reacts after Bruins forward Milan Lucic charged with assault

On Saturday, the Bruins announced that Lucic was taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team following a “situation”.

“Milan is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team. The organization takes these matters very seriously, and we will work with the Lucic family to provide any support and assistance they may need,” the team statement read.

“We support the Lucic family and we will continue to provide support and help,” Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery told the media before Boston’s tilt against the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night.

Montgomery said he had not spoken with Lucic and that Saturday was an abnormal day in the organization.

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 12: Milan Lucic #17 of the Boston Bruins looks during the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Garden on March 12, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) takes a shot on Washington Capitals goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) during the first period of a preseason NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) reaches for the puck in front of San Jose Sharks defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov (71) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 08: Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins pretends to fight with Justin Turner #2 of the Boston Red Sox before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 08, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

BOSTON, MA - MAY 14: Milan Lucic #17 of the Boston Bruins loks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 14, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 08: Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins looks on after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 08, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 26: Milan Lucic #17 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his goal against the Detroit Red Wings in the third period in Game Five of the First Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 26, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham) (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 28: Milan Lucic #17 of the Boston Bruins reacts after his first of two goals in the first period against the New York Rangers at the TD Garden on March 28, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 11: Milan Lucic #17 of the Boston Bruins is announced before the Bruins home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at TD Garden on October 11, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 07: Milan Lucic #17 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden on March 7, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Flyers 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

“Our culture here is great and we care about each other,” remarked the second-year Bruins head coach. “So with that, it’s not a normal day but we’re professionals and we have a game to play tonight.”

In a statement, the team said, “The Boston Bruins have been in communication with the Lucic family, offering our support and assistance. He remains on an indefinite leave of absence from the team. With respect to both his ongoing rehabilitation and the legal process, we will have no further comment at this time.”

Drafted by the Bruins in the 2nd round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Lucic spent the first eight years of his career in Boston before splitting the next eight between the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames.

Lucic signed a one-year, $ 1,000,000 deal this summer to return to Boston as a likely capstone to his career.

Lucic led the Bruins with 30 goals during their championship 2010-2011 season and his physical, bruising presence on the black and gold’s forward lines quickly made him a fan favorite in Boston.

Lucic was placed on long-term IR on October 28 after taking a puck to his ankle.

Under his bail conditions, Lucic is required to avoid alcohol consumption until the case is resolved.