New Jersey Devils assistant coach Andrew Brunette was arrested Wednesday in South Florida and charged with driving under the influence among other offenses.
Brunette went 51-18-6 as interim head coach of the Florida Panthers in 2021-22.
WPLG, citing a police report, reported Brunette ran two stop signs in a golf cart in Deerfield Beach, Fla. In addition to the DUI, he was also charged with two counts of disobeying a stop or yield sign.
Brunette, 49, posted $500 bond and was expected to be released later Wednesday.
The Devils said in a statement they were aware of Brunette’s arrest. Brunette is in his first season as associate coach to Lindy Ruff.
Brunette is ostensibly in South Florida for the NHL All-Star festivities in Sunrise, Fla., home of the Panthers.
Brunette was named interim head coach of the Panthers after Joel Quenneville resigned Oct. 28, 2021, in the aftermath of a Chicago Blackhawks sexual abuse investigation. Under Brunette, the Panthers set franchise records for wins (58) and points (122) in 2021-22.
However, he wasn’t retained by the Panthers, who hired Paul Maurice to replace Brunette.
Brunette tallied 733 points (268 goals, 465 assists) over a 16-year career with six different teams, including the Minnesota Wild (2001-04, 2008-12). He retired in 2012 after spending one year with Chicago.
Brunette, who has also been an assistant coach with the Wild (2015-16), runs the Devils’ power play.
Brunette also pled guilty in May of 2022 for going 58 mph in a 40 mph zone in Deerfield Beach. He paid a $260 fine, according to WPLG.
–Field Level Media