Russian star Voynov banned from NHL until 2020

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Russian defenseman Slava Voynov's hopes of a swift return to the National Hockey League (NHL) have been put on hold after he was handed a one-year ban following his 2014 domestic violence case, a statement said Tuesday.

An NHL statement said Voynov would be suspended for the entire 2019-2020 NHL season, including the playoffs.

Voynov, a member of Russia's Olympic gold-medal winning team at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, has not played in the NHL since October 2014, when he was arrested for assaulting his wife.

Los Angeles Kings defender Slava Voynov is shown in this Redondo Beach Police Department booking photo released to Reuters, October 20, 2014, following his arrest on charges of domestic violence. /VCG Photo

Reports of the incident said Voynov punched his wife repeatedly, choked her, kicked her on the ground and shoved her into a wall-mounted television set, leaving her requiring eight stitches.

The 29-year-old was later sentenced to 90 days in jail and given an indefinite suspension by the NHL. The Los Angeles Kings terminated his six-year, 25-million-U.S.-dollar contract.

However, following the completion of his probation in July 2018, Voynov, who returned to Russia following his release in 2015, was eligible to apply for reinstatement to the NHL.

Marta Varlamova (C), wife of Slava Voynov, and their daughter Kristina Voynova, cheer for Voynov's play during the men's ice hockey final match between Germany and Russia at the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games in Gangneung, South Korea, February 25, 2018. /VCG Photo

League officials said they had conducted a hearing in New York last month to review Voynov's case and facts surrounding the attack on his wife.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said he had determined that "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," Bettman added.

Voynov's eligibility to play in the NHL will be restored, assuming good behavior, no later than July 1, 2020, the NHL said.

Source(s): AFP