The NHL has finally made a decision regarding Slava Voynov. The defenseman has been suspended for the entire 2019-20 season and playoffs, while his eligibility will be restored on July 1, 2020 assuming “good behavior.” Voynov had applied for reinstatement after he previously received an indefinite ban from the league following his 2014 arrest for domestic violence. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has released this statement:
I have determined that Player Slava Voynov engaged in acts of domestic violence directed at his wife. Today’s ruling, while tailored to the specific facts of this case and the individuals involved, is necessary and consistent with the NHL’s strongly-held policy that it cannot and will not tolerate this and similar types of conduct, particularly as directed at a spouse, domestic partner or family member.
While Voynov had already been suspended for years, the important thing to note out of this decision is that he now has the right to appeal the decision with a neutral arbitrator. The NHLPA is reviewing the decision currently and could file an appeal on the behalf of Voynov.
In 2014, Voynov was arrested following a domestic violence incident and spent nearly two months in jail after pleading no contest. He was suspended indefinitely by the league and returned to Russia to play in the KHL, where he suited up for three years with St. Petersburg SKA. Last summer he petitioned the court to have his conviction dismissed, and started the process for reinstatement to the NHL.
As Bettman stated today, the incident revolved around Voynov and his wife, Marta Varlamova. That incident has been detailed and examined countless times since the arrest—perhaps most thoroughly by The Athletic’s Katie Strang (subscription required) last June—and will certainly bring about plenty more media speculation now that his name is back in the news.
It is important to note that Voynov’s NHL rights still belong to the Los Angeles Kings, the team he was playing for when he was first suspended. The team gave a statement to LA Kings Insider Jon Rosen, indicating that they are still reviewing the decision themselves and that it would be premature to comment at this point.
So you are suspending him for something that happened almost 6 years ago? Cheese and I thought the NFL was bad.
He has been suspended the last 6 years. He is being reinstated next year.
What a joke. Bettman is just trying to save face after the Watson situation. And the incident happned 5 years ago. He has basically served a 5 year suspension as it is
If you commit a crime like this you don’t get away from being arrested or jailed if you fled to another country for 6 years
By running to another country and playing?
He got suspended indefinitely and went to Russia after that… not quite the same
Now wait for the Socialist “arbitrator” to be called in and attempt to nullify the suspension. At which point, the arbitrator would have to be whisked away to W.P.P., possibly on another planet…
Does anyone actually want him and all his baggage on their team?
why anyone would want this piece of garbage is beyond me. If someone does sign him should be city with nfl or college team. these cities seem to be more accepting of this type of behavior.If the player can help them win. best thing in Canada did recently kick loser johnny manziel out for hitting his wife again.
He was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 3 years probation. After he served his time in jail he was taken into custody by I.C.E. and held for a deportation hearing. He eventually voluntarily left to avoid the hearing. He didn’t flee to another country to avoid being arrested. You have it 100% wrong.
This was in reference to TJeck109.
He spent 2 months in jail, was kicked out of the NHL, was then kicked out of the USA, lost millions…now 5 years later the league still won’t reinstate him…what other player has been suspended this long?
Sorry, he was not deported…but he probably would have been