A pair of NHL players found out Wednesday what a real penalty box feels like.
A pair of hotheaded hockey players who allegedly pummeled a pal inside a Greenwich Village apartment in a melee over an inflated club tab were arraigned in Manhattan court.
Frank “Sonny” Milano, a forward with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Anthony “A.J.” Greer, a forward with the Colorado Avalanche, were arrested July 7 after allegedly beating up an acquaintance after a night of partying at 1OAK.
During the brief hearing, Milano’s defense lawyer Daniel Ollen asked the judge not to issue orders of protection, arguing that it would make it difficult for the men to travel with their respective teams.
He also asked that their next court appearance be excused due to their travel schedule.
Judge Jay Weiner agreed and declined to issue protective orders. He also permitted Milano, 23, and Greer, 22, to skip their next court date over the objection of prosecutors.
Assistant DA Mark Monaco said, “If not for their jobs, no other defendants would get this type of treatment.”
The brawl erupted after the acquittance promised the group that he could arrange table service for $200 each at the celebrity nightspot.
But once back at Milano’s West Village pad, the pal insisted that the men owed him more.
This demand allegedly prompted Milano and Greer to “strike him about the face and body with a closed fist and with a shod foot,” according to court papers. The victim suffered bruises and redness and pain to his face, neck and upper body, the complaint alleges.
When cops responded to the apartment, Greer insisted the altercation was nothing more than a pushing match. “He got in my face asking for money. I pushed him to get him out of the way,” said Greer. “I’m a hockey player, I’m a fighter. The injuries on me are from hockey,” he added, referring to numerous scars on his face.
After the brief court hearing, Ollen said the alleged victim was acting like a crybaby.
“My mommy spanked me harder than this guy got hit,” the attorney said.
Greer’s attorney, Kevin Keating, said, “My client acted lawfully and frankly exercised tremendous restraint.”