Michael Ryder, a former Canadiens forward, was regarded as a natural scorer. Ryder finished second in the NHL Rookie of the Year voting in 2003-04, edging Boston Bruins goaltender Andrew Raycroft.
The 42-year-old former Canadiens player was summoned to appear in person in St. John's Provincial Court on Friday but was unable to do so. Ryder was represented by a lawyer in the case, and he will appear in court again next month.
Ryder was selected by the Habs in the eighth round of the 1998 draft and played for the CH from 2003 to 2008, scoring 30 goals twice. He joined the Boston Bruins in the summer of 2008 and won the Stanley Cup with them in 2011.