MRU student alleged to have beaten professor with broomstick called 'poster child' by defence lawyer

The lawyer for a Calgary man charged with beating a university professor with a broomstick says violence is completely out of character for his client, while one of Matthew Brown's former hockey team managers says he's "flabbergasted."

Brown, a former hockey star at Mount Royal University in Calgary,is facing a handful of charges:two counts of break and enter, assault with a weapon, mischief and committing an indecent act in public.

Brown, 26, was charged after a naked man broke into a home in the community of Springbank Hillin southwest Calgary on Jan. 13 and woke an MRU professor from a deep sleep, attacking her and leaving her with a broken hand thatrequires surgery as well as torn tendons andsevere bruising.

CBCNews has agreed not to name the victim, who is in hermid-60sandfears for her safety.

• Mount Royal University hockey star charged in break-in and violent attack on MRU professor

Brown's defence lawyer, Sean Fagan, said he could not commenton the specifics of the alleged incidentas he is still waiting for disclosure evidence from the prosecutor.

"What we do know is that the police were suspecting drug use. And Matt has no history of drug use. He was tested regularly through Mount Royal hockey," Fagan said.

"It's a bit of a surprise to everybody what is alleged to have happened."

Brown,who isoriginally fromTruro, N.S., has no criminal record."Never so much as a noise complaint," Fagan said, also pointingto Brown's accolades such as making the dean's list on multiple occasions.

"He is quite literally the poster child for Mount Royal University."

Former hockey GM'flabbergasted' to hear of charges

Brown played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey Leagueand British Columbia Hockey Leaguebefore he went on to become the captain of the MRUvarsity hockey team for three consecutive years.

At the end of last season, he moved down to Colorado to play for the Colorado Eagles, an affiliate team of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche.

Brownwas then traded to the Wichita Thunder but moved instead to another team before training camp, according to a spokesperson for the Thunder.

Brown was rostered to the LacombeGenerals, a senior AAA team, at the beginning of this season before he quit the team in mid-October to complete his courses at MRU, according to the Generals' general manager Jeff McInnis.

McInnissaid he was "flabbergasted"when he heard about the charges.

"Our whole fraternity is just flipped over thinking, 'Well, this just doesn't make sense,'" McInnis told CBC News.

"Everyone has always spoken very highly of him."

Brown's future at the school hangs in the air

Brown is no longer a member of the hockey program at MRU but he was still studying business administration there before the school announced over the weekend that Brownwassuspended and not permitted on campus until further notice.

"Our first and foremost concern is for the well-being of the victim, who was injured and is now recuperating. The university has been in touch with the individual to offer support and best wishes for recovery," the statement read.

A Mount Royal spokesperson would not confirm whether or not there will be a student hearing for Brown but directed CBCNews instead to the student conduct guide.But Fagan said his client did have plans to contest the suspension.

"He's in the last semester before he graduates," Fagan said.

"He's benefited from the presumption of innocence with regards to the court system, I hope Mount Royal extends him the same courtesy."

Professor awoke to an explosion of glass

The professor woke from a deep sleep after what sounded like an explosion, which was her glass door being smashed. She got up to investigate and was immediately attacked by a naked man who hit her repeatedly with a broom handle.

She was able to lock herself in the bathroom and then fled to a neighbour's house where they let her in and called 911.

Herfamily saysthe suspect had been at a nearby party.

The family says they'vebeen told police believe the attacker may have been on drugs at the time.

• MORE CRIME NEWS |Lawyers' group slams U of C's 'de facto expulsion' of sex offender
• MORE CRIME NEWS |Alberta Creep Catcher gets fine, probation for 'repugnant and malicious' crime