Former Florida Panthers coach arrested on charge of driving golf cart under the influence

Former Florida Panthers coach Andrew Brunette was arrested Wednesday in Boca Raton on charges of driving under the influence and disobeying a stop/yield sign in Deerfield Beach, according to jail records.

A Broward Sheriff’s deputy was issuing Brunette’s golf cart a ticket for illegal parking when he observed the former coach, 49, leaving a bar in Deerfield Beach, unsteady on his feet and talking with slurred speech, according to the probable cause affidavit.

He handed Brunette the citation. Brunette then entered the golf cart, before stepping out to return to the bar to get his wife, the affidavit states. They both left the bar together, and the deputy overheard Brunette’s wife tell him not to drive because the police were still there.

Less than 20 minutes later, the deputy saw Brunette driving the golf cart away from the area and running two stop signs, according to the affidavit. The deputy then activated his emergency lights. Brunette continued into Boca Raton, where he lives, before coming to a stop.

He told a second deputy who arrived at the scene that his wife was driving, not him, though he sat in the driver’s seat, according to the affidavit. The deputy asked Brunette to perform roadside exercises, and told him that if he refused, he would be subject to arrest.

While in the middle of the exercises, Brunette walked away while requesting his attorney, the affidavit states. The two deputies then placed him in handcuffs while asking him to submit to a breath test, advising him of the Florida Implied Consent Law, which results in a one year drivers’ license suspension for drivers who refuse, with increasing penalties following each refusal.

Brunette refused to submit to a breath test.

Brunette served as an interim head coach for the Panthers beginning in October 2021, replacing Joel Quenneville.

He was a coach of the year finalist for the 202122 season, his first time as head coach at the NHL level, but was replaced by Paul Maurice in June 2022.

Brunette is now in his first season as associate coach of the New Jersey Devils.

Brunette had two prior traffic infractions in Broward County, court records show, though neither were DUIs.

In February 2021, he was cited for unlawful speeding in a school zone. The case was later dismissed.

In May 2022, he was cited again for unlawful speeding and paid a $260 fine.

Brunette is being held in Broward Main Jail on $500 bond.

Brunette