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Slava Voynov of the Los Angeles Kings, has been suspended indefinitely after he was arrested on domestic abuse charges and is pending an investigation by the NHL.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Woman He Allegedly Attacked is in the Hospital
NHL Star Slava Voynov — Domestic Violence Victim Hospitalized http://t.co/8qDLStOEe2
According to TMZ, the woman Voynov allegedly attacked, was accompanied by him to the hospital because her injuries were so bad. Their sources claim the two are in a relationship and Voynov was arrested at the hospital, after staff called the authorities.
2. Voynov Was Arrested on Suspicion of Domestic Abuse
NHL announces Kings’ Slava Voynov suspended indefinitely pending NHL investigation after Voynov arrested on charges of domestic violence
No question as others have surmised, the changing landscape in sports is a factor here in quick NHL reaction. But perhaps also more (con’t)
One has to also consider the possibility that NHL already has enough information to suggest a more serious case than it was with Varlamov
One thing to remember, since Voynov was arrested, he’ll have automatic referral to NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioural health program
Voynov was arrested at 3:45 am on Monday by Redondo Beach police and was later released from prison on 50 thousand dollars bail, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Melanie Chivara, Redondo Beach city prosecutor, told ESPN that Voynov was arrested on domestic violence charges and will appear in court on December 1st, with his case to be first reviewed by the district attorney for felony consideration.
Voynov’s lawyer, Craig Renetzky told ESPN, “It’s very early in the stages and no charges have been filed. That doesn’t mean charges will be filed or are warranted in this case. We’re conducting our own investigation to determine what happened.”
3. He Will Still be Paid Under His Suspension
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Voynov will continued to be paid under the California Penal Code section 273.5, with his suspension coming under the NHL’s Section 18-A.5 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement which states, “”The League may suspend the Player pending the League’s formal review and disposition of the matter where the failure to suspend the Player during this period would create a substantial risk of material harm to the legitimate interests and/or reputation of the League.”
Gary Bettman, the NHL’s commissioner stated, “We as a league have more than enough authority and mechanisms to punish, if necessary, in the appropriate case. Fortunately we haven’t seen too many. But more importantly we focus on counseling and education, and in the joint programs we have with the Players’ Association we’ve been counseling and educating on domestic violence for more than a decade, I don’t remember the exact date. The security department does it in their annual meetings with each team, and the behavioral counselors from the substance abuse, behavioral health program also counsel and educate the players on those and many other issues. So I’m not sure for us there is any need for any code of conduct other than our players, who overwhelming conduct themselves magnificently off the ice — we deal with it on a case by case basis. I don’t think we need to formalize anything more. Our players know what’s right and wrong, and as I said, we have the mechanisms in place to hopefully not get to that point.”
4. Voynov Won the Stanley Cup in His First NHL Season
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During his first season with the NHL in 2012, Slava Voynov, was an integral part of the King’s defense and them winning the Stanley Cup. He was one of the Kings most consistent scorers in the playoffs, next to Jeff Carter.
In 2014, he’s only played in 6 games so far.
5. He Started His Career in the Russian Superleague
Voynov began his career with the Traktor Chelyabinsk, in the Russian Superleague before being drafted in 2008 by the Kings. He spent some time in the AHL with the Manchester Monarchs after the NHL lockout and shortened season, before returning to the Kings and the NHL in 2012.