Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov entered a plea of "no contenst" to a misdemeanor count of corporal injury to a spouse on Thursday, according to a report from Larry Altman of the Daily Breeze.
Under the plea, Voynov, will serve 90 days in jail and three-years' probation, per Altman. He will also have 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling and eight hours of community service.
The Kings released a statement regarding the matter:
"We believe the legal system has effectively resolved this matter and the punishment is fair and just. Any act of domestic violence is unacceptable. As an organization, the prevention of domestic violence and the education of our players and employees is of paramount importance. We will continue to actively develop and implement a strategy to deliver this message. We remain steadfast in our support of the National Hockey League as they now begin their own investigative process. Until that is complete we will withhold further comment."
Voynov was originally charged with felony "corporal injury to spouse with great bodily injury" after an altercation with his wife, Marta Varlamova, last October.
Varlamova issued a statement, via her lawyer (h/t to Yahoo Sports), after the felony charges were announced:
"Marta was stunned by the news today and she is devastated. She did not believe, and does not believe, that her husband intended to injure her and she believes that he is not guilty of any crime. She is worried about her family's privacy and concerned that she and her family are going to be subjected to ridicule, embarrassment and hatred because of this decision. In fact, she has already seen that beginning to happen. It is unfortunate that no one seemed to care what she wants, and that the authorities gave little or no weight to her view of the facts of the case. Despite this unwelcome news, she still expects her husband to be cleared of any criminal wrongdoing."
According to Rich Hammond of the Orange County Register, Voynov's conviction could result in deportation, though there seems to be some question as to the validity of that assertion and will likely be for the immigration court to decide.
Voynov's issue continues what has become a disturbing trend of late for the Kings.
First was the Voynov incident. Then, forward Jarret Stoll was busted with cocaine and ecstacy while at a pool in Las Vegas. And most recently, Mike Richards' contract was terminated due to an off-the-ice incident which allegedly involves a border-crossing and OxyContin.
While the team has already divested themselves of Richards and is almost certain not to bring Stoll back, Voynov remains an inactive member of the franchise.
Per Hammond, NHL Deputy Commissioner and chief legal officer Bill Daly said that the plea will not alter Voynov's status in the eyes of the league.
"Nothing changes with regard to his status vis-a-vis the NHL," said Daly. "No timetables for next steps. I imagine we will hear from the Player's camp and the PA when they are ready to engage."
