NEW YORK – The NHL has suspended Los Angeles Kings defenceman Slava Voynov from all team activities indefinitely while it investigates his arrest on domestic violence charges.
Voynov will not be able to practise with the team or play in games while the NHL investigates, but he will continue to be paid.
The NHL announced the suspension citing Section 18-1.5 of the collective bargaining agreement, which gives it the power to suspend a player during a criminal investigation if failing to do so “would create a substantial risk of material harm to the legitimate interests and/or reputation of the league.”
The league’s rapid response to Voynov’s situation comes after the NFL was criticized for not dealing more swiftly when Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and other players faced charges.
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A year ago, the NHL did not comment when Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov was arrested on assault charges. He continued playing, and charges were later dropped.
The NFL suspended Rice for two games after he was arrested for hitting his then-fiancee at an Atlantic City casino. Months later, and after video of the incident surfaced, the league banned Rice indefinitely and the Baltimore Ravens released him.
Peterson, a star running back for the Minnesota Vikings, was suspended indefinitely with pay by the team when he was charged with child abuse in Texas.
READ MORE: Ray Rice case highlights NFL’s domestic abuse problem
Last month in Toronto, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman spoke in general terms about his league’s domestic violence policy. Bettman said the league and Players’ Association have been educating players for a decade.
“Based on our experience to date, we believe that the appropriate procedures are in effect that we can do what we need to do on a case-by-case basis,” Bettman said in an interview with The Canadian Press. “I am extraordinarily proud of our players and how they conduct themselves. If and when something needs to be addressed in terms of discipline, it will be. But more importantly we try to focus, with the Players’ Association, on educating and counselling.”
Voynov, a 24-year-old from Russia, has played in the NHL since the 2011-12 season. The league said he was arrested under California Penal Code section 273.5, Domestic Violence.
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