Bruins Player Milan Lucic Pleads 'Not Guilty' To Domestic Assault Charge

BOSTON — Boston Bruins veteran Milan Lucic stood stoic as a "not guilty" plea to a domestic assault and battery charge was entered on his behalf in Boston Municipal Court on Tuesday morning following a weekend arrest in the North End.

Lucic was released on his own recognizance, issued a "no abuse order" toward his wife, the victim in the case, and told to stay away from alcohol while the case was pending. Lucic's next hearing is set for Jan. 19 where he will be allowed to appear virtually via Zoom.

According to court prosecution statements, Boston police officers responded to a call for an assault and battery at Lucic's North End home on Battery Street early Saturday morning. Prosecutors said police reported that there was evidence that Lucic attempted to choke her before she fled the apartment.

Officers met her in the lobby of the apartment building, while Lucic was in the apartment, and said that she told police that Lucic returned home from a night out, appeared to have been drinking, and could not find his cell phone. She said Lucic yelled at her and accused her of hiding the phone.

Police said Lucic's wife told them that when she tried to walk away from Lucic he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back to him, telling her "she is not going anywhere." Police said they observed "redness" in her chest arrest, but that she denied that Lucic attempted to strangle her.

She declined medical treatment.

Prosecutors said when they went to the apartment Lucic "appeared intoxicated when he answered the door" and told them that nothing had happened.

"He did not attempt to provide any explanation at that time," prosecutors said. "He was informed of the allegations against him and that he would be taken into custody. The defendant was cooperative, indicated that he understood, and at that time he was escorted upstairs to retrieve his belongings."

The Bruins said on Saturday morning that Lucic, who was out of action with an injury at the time of the accused incident, was placed on an indefinite leave of absence.

"The organization takes these matters very seriously and will work with the Lucic family to provide any support and assistance they may need. We will have no further comment at this time," the Bruins said in a statement.