Former Jet Thomas Steen's assault charges stayed

Criminal charges against former Winnipeg Jet and city Coun. Thomas Steen have been stayed.

Steen was charged with two counts of assault and one of uttering threats after an incident at a Winnipeg restaurant in May 2014.

He took a leave from his council duties and was suspended from his role with the Winnipeg Police Board while the investigation into the charges took place.

The charges were stayed in June of this year, which means the Crown is no longer trying to prosecute.

However, as opposed to charges that are withdrawn or dropped, stayed charges can be brought back within one year if the Crown decides to pursue them again.

Steen played for the Jets from 1981 until his retirement from the NHL in 1995.

His career shifted to politics after he won a seat on Winnipeg city council, representing the Elmwood-East Kildonan ward, in the 2010 municipal election.

Steen, who lost his re-election bid in 2014, will lace up the skates once again later this month. He is part of the Jets roster for the 2016 NHL Heritage Classic alumni game at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg on Oct. 22.