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Sports

Jets D Byfuglien faces multiple charges in boating arrest

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

Minneapolis, MN – Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien faces four separate charges in the wake of his arrest on suspicion of boating while intoxicated.

Court documents released on Tuesday detailed the charges, that include boating while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, refusing to provide a blood or urine sample, failing to display proper lighting and failing to provide sufficient safety devices for himself and his three passengers.

Byfuglien, 26, was arrested the night of August 31 on Lake Minnetonka and booked into the Hennepin County jail on probable cause for refusing a blood or urine test after he was stopped on the water. He was released the next day.

According to the report, Byfuglien submitted to a breathalyzer and registered an .03, well below the legal limit. However, the arresting officer decided to proceed based on observations which led him to conclude that the forward- turned-defenseman could not safely operate his boat. The officer's statement revealed that he found Byfuglien to be unsteady on his feet, slurring his speech and smelled of alcohol.

Furthermore, the documents said that a police expert examined the hulking blueliner and found his pulse and blood pressure to be elevated, and discovered a "distinct brown stain" on his tongue.

Byfuglien is scheduled to appear in Hennepin County court on October 21.

"After allowing the legal process to play out to this point and gathering as much information as we could, we are fully aware of the charges against Dustin," read a statement issued by Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff on Tuesday afternoon. "While we will continue to support him in this situation, we understand the severity of the charges involved in this case. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and until the continuing legal process is completed, we will have no further comment."

Byfuglien, a Minneapolis native, won the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2010 but was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers about two weeks later. He has 75 goals and 162 points in 341 career NHL games.

He scored 20 goals with 33 assists in 81 games last season for the Thrashers, who were sold and relocated to Winnipeg.