The NHL has suspended Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov indefinitely from all club activities pending a formal league investigation of an arrest this morning on charges of domestic violence, the NHL announced Monday morning.
Monday's swift action contrasts starkly with the league's decision last season to allow Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov to play while facing domestic violence charges that were eventually dismissed. However, hockey clearly is taking no chances in the wake of the NFL's recent mishandling of several domestic violence cases involving star players such as running backs Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson.
The NHL does not have a domestic violence policy, but deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Daily News in September that the league 'handle(s) situations like this on a case-by-case basis.'
Under that premise, the league dropped the hammer on Monday morning, explaining in a statement that it was imposing the suspension under Section 18-A.5 of the collective bargaining agreement, which gives the league the power to act as it sees fit regarding criminal investigations.
'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.'
The NHL said Voynov will continue to be paid during the course of the investigation. The league also said Voynov was arrested for California Penal Code section 273.5, Domestic Violence.
The NHL never has taken disrespect of women lightly. In 2008, the league suspended Sean Avery six games in 2008 while with the Dallas Stars for speaking inappropriately about actress Elisha Cuthbert, who he called his 'sloppy seconds.'
More recently, Varlamov of the Avalanche was charged in the fall of 2013 on one count of third-degree assault for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. When he was charged, the NHL and the Avalanche essentially announced that they reserved the right to act if the allegations were proven as fact.
'We are aware of the decision made by the Denver District Attorney's Office today to pursue misdemeanor assault charges against Avalanche Player Semyon Varlamov,' the NHL said in a statement at the time. 'While we will continue to monitor the situation, we do not expect to take any action or have any further comment pending the resolution of those charges.'
The NHL and Avalanche came under scrutiny for allowing Varlamov to play while the case played out in court. The charges against Varlamov eventually were dismissed because prosecutors could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Posted by Unknown on Monday, October 20, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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