Slava Voynov

Playing career

Voynov began his career with Traktor Chelyabinsk, playing his rookie Russian Superleague (RSL) season in 2006–07. After a second campaign with Traktor, he was selected in the second round, 32nd overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The Kings, in their efforts to translate his Cyrillic-scripted name into the Latin alphabet, originally spelled his given name as "Viatcheslav." In the same off-season, Voynov was also drafted fifth overall by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)'s Moncton Wildcats in the 2008 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft. However, because of his two seasons of professional experience in Russia, Voynov was eligible to forego the junior process in North America, and was subsequently assigned to the Kings' minor league affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, in the American Hockey League (AHL). He recorded eight goals and 23 points in his AHL rookie season, and in the following campaign, he improved to 29 points in 79 games. In 2011, he was selected to represent the Eastern Conference at the 2011 AHL All-Star Game.

Voynov's first and second career NHL goals were both scored on 27 October 2011, against Kari Lehtonen of the Dallas Stars. On 11 June 2012, Voynov won the Stanley Cup with the Kings in his first NHL season. Voynov had an impressive rookie season with the Kings, but with the 2012–13 NHL season delayed because due to a lockout, he was reassigned to Manchester to start the year. In the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs, Voynov set a new Kings record for number of goals scored by a defenceman in one playoff season, scoring his fifth of the playoffs in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against the Chicago Blackhawks.

On 18 June 2013, in the subsequent off-season, Voynov and the Kings agreed on a six-year, $25 million contract extension worth an annual average value of $4.16 million.

Personal

Voynov married Marta Varlamova in August 2014.

Arrest and suspension

On 20 October 2014, Voynov was suspended indefinitely pending an investigation by the NHL after being arrested on misdemeanor domestic violence charges. On 20 November 2014, the Los Angeles County prosecutor announced that Voynov would be charged with "one felony count of corporal injury to a spouse with great bodily injury." Although Voynov was indefinitely suspended from the league, the Los Angeles Kings attempted to circumvent that by having Voynov attend a team practice. The Kings were later fined $100,000 for their misdemeanor.

The NHL does not have a policy on domestic violence charges; however, Voynov's suspension was justified under the collective bargaining agreement of the NHL. Although the CBA does not outline cases specific to Voynov and domestic violence, the league is able to suspend players while they are part of a criminal investigation. Under section 18-A.5, "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." If convicted, Voynov risked up to nine years in prison and the possibility to be deported back to Russia. Voynov only suited up for six games for the Los Angeles Kings in the 2014–2015 season, but the 25-year-old did still receive a full salary. Voynov was paid while he was under investigation by the league, however he was banned from participating in any team activities while serving his suspension.

Voynov pleaded not guilty to the charges of domestic violence. He was accused of choking, kicking, and punching his wife, Marta Varlamova, and it was even said that he threw her into a TV. However, according to TMZ, his wife has since written a letter asserting that he had not intended to injure her and requested that Voynov not be charged.

On 2 July 2015, Voynov pleaded no contest to a reduced misdemeanor charge and was sentenced to 90 days in jail. He received three years of probation and was ordered to attend counseling.

On 3 September, Voynov was released from Seal Beach Police Detention Center, where he was being held since 7 July. Upon his release he was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, where they held him at an unspecified detention facility to await trial in front of an immigration judge. Voynov was held without bond, which is common when ICE thinks the subject is a danger to the community or flight risk.