Jets' Byfuglien pleads guilty to careless boating; drunken boating charge dropped

MINNEAPOLIS - Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien (BUFF'-len) has avoided a trial on drunken boating charges by pleading guilty to careless boating.

Byfuglien reached a plea deal on Monday, the day his trial was to start in Minneapolis.

Byfuglien was charged last August with boating under the influence and refusing to take a chemical test after an incident on suburban Lake Minnetonka. Careless boating is a misdemeanour, and Byfuglien was sentenced to a year's probation, two days of public service, a $1,000 fine and a day in an alcohol education program.

Defence lawyer Mitchell Robinson says Byfuglien had a 0.031 blood-alcohol content when tested on the lake, well below Minnesota's limit for driving boats or cars.

“After allowing the legal process to play out, we are thankful to see this matter resolved to the satisfaction of all parties involved," said Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff in a statement. "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.”