Boston Bruins winger Milan Lucic returning to court after assault charge

Milan Lucic, a veteran forward for the Boston Bruins, is due to return to court on Friday after being arrested in November in connection with a domestic dispute.

Prosecutors claim Lucic’s wife accused him of dragging her by her hair after a fight following a night of drinking on November 18 at a waterfront apartment building on Battery Street in the North End.
The victim stated that Lucic was unable to locate his cell phone during a night out that she suspected included the usage of alcohol. According to the complaint, she informed the officer that Lucic started yelling and demanding the phone, which she did not have.

She told Lucic she did not have the phone or know where it was and attempted to walk away, but told police that Lucic grabbed her hair and pulled her backward.
An officer observed redness on the victim’s chest but noted that she said Lucic did not attempt to strangle her and she declined to be seen by emergency medical services.

Lucic was arrested on a charge of assault and battery on a family member.
Lucic entered the NHL’s Player Assistance Program, which helps players going though mental health and substance abuse issues.

He is on a leave of absence from the Bruins and has pleaded not guilty.

A 2011 Stanley Cup winner with the Bruins, Lucic returned during the offseason, signing a $1 million deal with $500,000 more possible in performance-based incentives.

He made his Bruins debut in 2007 and spent eight seasons with the team before returning in the offseason.

Lucic, who stands 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 236 pounds, was placed on the Bruins’ long-term injured list in October.

Lucic appeared in four games and recorded two assists before suffering a lower-body injury after being hit with a shot off his ankle in a game against Los Angeles on October 21.