LA Kings player pleads no contest in domestic violence case

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov remains suspended from the NHL after a judge accepted a plea deal on Thursday.

Voynov pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of corporal injury to a spouse after initially being charged with corporal injury to a spouse with great bodily injury after an incident in October with his wife that police said left her bloody with a cut over her left eye and red marks on her neck.

The NHL suspended Voynov after his arrest and later said the Kings were not responsible for his salary.

“Nothing changes with regard to his status vis-a-vis the NHL. No timetables for next steps,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Orange County Register. “I imagine we will hear from the player’s camp and the PA (Players Association) when they are ready to engage.”

As part of the plea deal, Voynov received three years’ probation and 90 days in jail. He also must undergo 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling and perform eight hours of community service.

Voynov’s trial was scheduled to start Monday. Voynov’s wife, Marta Varlamova, said after the initial charges were filed that she believed her husband was not guilty of a crime.

In a statement issued Thursday, the Kings said, “We believe the legal system has effectively resolved this matter and the punishment is fair and just. Any act of domestic violence is unacceptable. As an organization, the prevention of domestic violence and the education of our players and employees is of paramount importance. We will continue to actively develop and implement a strategy to deliver this message.

“We remain steadfast in our support of the National Hockey League as they now begin their own investigative process. Until that is complete we will withhold further comment.”

Voynov, 25, has 18 goals and 81 points in 190 games spanning four NHL seasons with the Kings. His 2014-15 season was cut short after six games following the arrest.