The Boston captain has been charged with assauling a police officer.

ST. THOMAS, Ontario (AP) – The Boston Bruins and the NHL withheld comment Sunday on the arrest of Bruins captain Joe Thornton, who is charged with assaulting a police officer in a bar fight in his hometown.

Bruins spokeswoman Heidi Holland and league spokesman Frank Brown both said they would wait for more facts before commenting on the case.

Thornton was arrested early Saturday morning outside a bar in St. Thomas. He was charged with assaulting and obstructing police during an early morning brawl at Burty Bob’s Two.

Thornton was released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court June 17.

Police were called when bouncers were unable to break up the fight. Officers were knocked to the ground, but there were not serious injuries, police said.

The bar’s general manager, Ray Daniels, confirmed that Thornton was involved in the fight.

Eight other people – including Thornton’s 27-year-old brother, John – were also arrested. John Thornton was charged with resisting arrest and trespassing.

Joe Thornton was the first overall pick in the 1997 NHL entry draft and has become one of the league’s biggest stars.

He finished third in scoring this season with 36 goals and 101 points, and is a finalist for the Lester B. Pearson Award, given to the NHL’s most outstanding player as voted on by the players.

AP-ES-05-18-03 1905EDT

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