Winnepeg Jets' Byfuglien guilty of careless boating

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, July 23 (UPI) -- The Winnipeg Jets' Dustin Byfuglien pleaded guilty Monday to careless boating in a 2011 incident in Minnesota.

Under a plea deal, drunken boating charges against the 27-year-old defenseman were dropped, the Winnipeg Free Press reported.

Byfuglien's sentence for the misdemeanor is one year of probation, two days of public service and one day in an alcohol education program, the newspaper said. He also was fined $1,000.

"After allowing the legal process to play out, we are thankful to see this matter resolved to the satisfaction of all parties involved," Jets General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said. "As an organization, the Winnipeg Jets are happy this is behind Dustin and he can look forward to the upcoming hockey season, along with the rest of the team and their passionate fan base."

Authorities had charged Byfuglien with four counts following his Aug. 31 arrest at Lake Minnetonka in suburban Minneapolis, including 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, a Minneapolis native, won the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2010, then was traded to Atlanta and made the move with the franchise to Winnipeg where he scored 12 goals with 41 assists in 66 games last season.

He has 87 goals and 215 points in 407 career NHL games.