Not guilty plea entered for Bruins F Milan Lucic in domestic assault case

Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic will return to court on Jan. 19 after his arraignment on domestic violence charges.

In Boston Municipal Court Tuesday, a not guilty plea was entered on Lucic's behalf during his arraignment. He was released on a personal recognizance bail.

Lucic, 35, was arrested early Saturday morning and charged with assault and battery on a family member. According to a Boston police report, police responded to an argument about a cellphone between Lucic and his wife, Brittany, who said he pulled her hair but disputed that he attempted to strangle her. The report said Lucic appeared intoxicated.

The charge carries a maximum of 2 1/2 years in prison. As a condition of bail, the judge ordered Lucic not to drink alcohol or abuse his wife.

The team announced Saturday that Lucic was taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team following his arrest.

Lucic recorded two assists in four games during his second stint with Boston before sustaining an ankle injury against the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 21. He was placed on long-term IR on Oct. 28.

He previously played eight seasons with the Bruins, who drafted him in the second round in 2006. He was part of their 2011 Stanley Cup championship team.

Lucic has 586 points (233 goals, 353 assists) and 1,301 penalty minutes in 1,177 games with the Bruins, Kings, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames.

—Field Level Media