Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien could be charged in Minneapolis with boating while intoxicated following his arrest late Wednesday night, according to Hennepin County records.
Authorities have 36 hours to determine from blood or urine tests if Byfuglien will be charged, though a spokesperson for the Hennepin Country sheriff's office said the local district attorney wouldn't make a formal decision on the matter until after the Labor Day weekend.
"We're aware of the reports," said Scott Brown, Jets director of communications. "We're still gathering information at this time."
The 26-year-old Byfuglien, who starred for the Chicago Blackhawks as a forward during their run to the Stanley Cup in 2010 and then had a breakout 20-goal, 53-point season on the blue line after being dealt to the Atlanta Thrashers, is expected to be a lynchpin of the new Winnipeg franchise.
Lucy Perillo, whose company, Canada Border Crossing Services, works to assist offenders in travel, told the Winnipeg Free Press a BWI charge could complicate matters for Byfuglien, an American citizen who was born in Minnesota, when it comes to traveling from his offseason home in the United States to his new home during the NHL season.
"He's technically not inadmissible into Canada, because he hasn't been found guilty of anything. But they do have the right to refuse," Perillo said. "Typically, though, Canadian officials at the Emerson border are very fair, as are those at the Winnipeg airport."
