Former Bruins Star Milan Lucic Will Not Face Domestic Violence Trial

BOSTON, MA — Prosecutors dropped domestic assault charges against former Boston Bruins star Milan Lucic on Friday after determining the state could not meet its burden of proof in the case after the victim, Lucic's wife, refused to testify and a judge denied the admission of the victim's 911 call.

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

Lucic, who was a star player on the Bruins team that won the Stanley Cup in 2011, returned to the team at the beginning of the current season. He was out injured at the time of the reported incident and was placed on an indefinite leave of absence from the club.

"Milan Lucic will remain on indefinite leave from the organization for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. The Boston Bruins organization supports Milan and his family as he continues his personal rehabilitation," the Bruins said in a statement on Friday.

The judge in the case on Friday denied the prosecutor's attempts at including the 911 call as evidence in the case. Without that call, and with the victim unwilling to testify against Lucic, prosecutors determined there was insufficient cause to continue the case and withdrew the charges.

Police said in November that the victim told them that Lucic had been drinking on the night of the police call and that he accused her of stealing his cell phone. Police said she said 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.

Lucic was released on his own recognizance at the November arraignment, issued a "no abuse order" toward his wife, and told to stay away from alcohol while the case was pending.

Lucic left the courtroom without speaking to reporters.