NHL’s Jarret Stoll to plead guilty to 2 misdemeanors

NHL player Jarret Stoll has agreed to plead guilty to a pair of misdemeanor charges in a deal with prosecutors reached Thursday.

The Clark County District Attorney’s office had announced earlier this week that Stoll was charged with one felony count of possession of a controlled substance following an April arrest at a Strip day club.

But Stoll’s lawyer, David Chesnoff, told a Las Vegas judge Thursday that the Los Angeles Kings player would plead to one count of provoking commission of breach of peace and one count of trespass.

Stoll did not appear in court for the hearing.

As part of the agreement, Stoll would organize a four-day youth hockey program in Clark County, Chesnoff said. Stoll also would volunteer at least 32 hours with the Salvation Army. The community service must be completed within 120 days, according to the agreement.

“Now that the case has been resolved I am committed to meeting all of my obligations to the court and am grateful for the chance to offer guidance and share positive life lessons to kids as part of the resolution of this matter,” Stoll said in a statement through his lawyer. “My focus remains on hockey and I am looking forward to getting back on the ice next season.”

Chesnoff said Stoll had already taken the first steps in creating the youth program and expected other players from the Kings to participate.

Chesnoff cited the prospect of an NHL expansion team in Las Vegas, just a day after the league announced the OK for applications from perspective owners.

In his youth program, which would cater to children in foster care or with mental health or substance abuse issues, Stoll would talk about the dangers of drug use and attempt to “bring hockey and healthy living to Las Vegas” and “introduce them to a sport that will soon be a part of their community,” his lawyer said.

Contact reporter David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039. Find him on Twitter: @randompoker