ST. THOMAS, Ontario – Boston Bruins captain Joe Thornton is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 12 to face charges of assaulting a police officer during a bar brawl in his hometown of St. Thomas.

Attorney Doug Gunn, who represents the 24-year-old Thornton and his 27-year-old brother John, appeared on behalf of his clients Tuesday at the Ontario Court of Justice.

Neither of the Thorntons attended the brief hearing, during which a justice of the peace adjourned the proceedings until Aug. 12 to allow for discussions and a possible resolution of the case.

The Thorntons were arrested around 2 a.m. on May 17 following a brawl at a bar called Burty Bob’s II.

Joe Thornton faces two charges of assaulting police and one of obstructing justice. John Thornton is charged with obstructing police and failing to leave the premises. Joe Thornton allegedly struck two police officers after coming to the aid of his brother. St. Thomas police say they pepper-sprayed Joe Thornton during the incident.

AP-ES-07-29-03 1927EDT