Assault trial for ex-NHL star Vincent Damphousse scheduled for December 2012

Vincent Damphousse speaks during his retirement announcement as his wife Allana listens, during a news conference on Sept. 7, 2005 in Laval, Que. Former NHL star Damphousse, alleged to have assaulted his wife, will have his day in court to answer to the charges.But he'll have to wait more than a year for the opportunityTHE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

MONTREAL - Former NHL star Vincent Damphousse, alleged to have assaulted his wife, will have his day in court to answer to the charges.

But he'll have to wait more than a year for the opportunity.

Crown and defence lawyers set a date for his trial today and the earliest they could get for a two-day trial was December 2012.

Damphousse faces six counts of assault against his now-estranged wife, Allana Henderson, between 2008 and early 2011. His lawyer has suggested the incident relates to divorce proceedings.

On Tuesday, Henderson, who is also alleged to have assaulted and stolen a briefcase from Damphousse last March, had her trial set for June 2012.

Both Damphousse and Henderson have pleaded not guilty to all charges and have kept quiet about the case to protect their children.

Damphousse was drafted sixth overall by Toronto in 1986 and played with Edmonton, Montreal and San Jose during an 18-year NHL career.