Bruins star Milan Lucic pleads NOT GUILTY to assault and battery charges following his recent arrest for 'trying to choke his wife and pulling her hair in drunken fight about hiding his phone'

Bruins star Milan Lucic pleaded not guilty to assault and battery charges in Boston Municipal Court on Tuesday before being released on personal recognizance bail. 

According to a Boston Police Department report, Lucic appeared intoxicated when officers arrived at his North End apartment early Saturday after his wife reported that he tried to choke her. Brittany Lucic told the responding officers that her husband had pulled her hair, but said he did not try to strangle her. She declined an offer of medical treatment.

Lucic has been married to Brittany for 11 years and they have three children together. 

The former Stanley Cup champion was arrested on suspicion of assault and battery on a family member, which carries a maximum penalty of 2½ years in prison. 

WBZ'S Tiffany Chan said on Monday that Lucic's wife 'called 911 and told Boston police her husband attacked and choked her. However, Brittany is refuting that claim, saying that he only tried to choke her. 

According to Boston.Com, Lucic believed his Brittany had hidden his phone from him and started arguing with her. 

'The victim stated that she did not have his cell phone and did not know where it was located,' police wrote. 'She stated that she attempted to walk away from her husband, and stated that the suspect grabbed her by her hair and pulled her backwards. 

'She stated that in doing so, the suspect stated to her that she was not going anywhere.' 

In a statement released Saturday, the Bruins did not provide any details about the incident other than to say the organization is aware of the situation and 'takes these matters very seriously.'

The team said it would work with Lucic's family to provide any support and assistance needed.

Lucic, 35, is a veteran of over 1,300 NHL games with the Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames. 

He won the Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011 and is back with the team after signing a one-year free agent contract last summer worth $1 million with $500,000 in possible additional incentives.

The Vancouver native has not played since October 21 because of injury.

Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said on Monday that he had not spoken to Lucic and would refrain from discussing further details out of respect for privacy.

Asked how to keep the situation from affecting the team, Montgomery said: 'Our culture here is great, and we care about each other. 

'With that, it's not a normal day. But we're professionals, and we have a game to play. We have to get ready for it.'