Hockey Hall of Famer Ray Bourque will be on probation for the next year and lost his driver's license for a total of 225 days following a court hearing tied to his recent arrest for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Bourque was arrested and charged with an OUI after his Mercedes struck a van in Andover, Mass., on June 25, according to reports. There were no injuries in the crash, but the van suffered damage. Additionally, the former Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche defenseman was recorded as having a blood alcohol level of .249, more than three times the legal limit according to Andover police.
Bourque, 55, issued an "admission of sufficient facts" in court Wednesday after previously pleading not guilty in his initial hearing two days after his arrest.
Bourque admitted in Lawrence District Court that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to convict him, a move that will resolve the case without a conviction if he successfully completes a year of probation.
He will lose his license for 45 days, which his attorney said comes in addition to a 180-day suspension he got for refusing a chemical test at the police station after the incident.
Defense attorney Gerard R. LaFlamme Jr. said in court that Bourque was eager to take responsibility.
LaFlamme said Bourque told him "I made a mistake. I had a lapse in judgment. I want to make sure that I am accountable for my actions, and I want to do this as quickly as possible."
Bourque did not speak with reporters after exiting district court, but issued the following written statement (via CBS affiliate WBZ in Boston):
"I take full responsibility for my actions and I will not seek nor take any short cuts. I know that I have let my family, friends, fans, the community and myself down. I apologize to all of you."
Over a 22-year NHL career, 21 of which were spent with the Bruins, Bourque put up 1,579 points in 1,612 games and still holds multiple franchise records. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004 and his number is retired by both the Bruins and the Avalanche.
