Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov arrested on domestic violence charges
Semyon Varlamov's mugshot, via Ryan Parker of the Denver Post.
Pretty much everything has gone the Colorado Avalanche's way to start this season. An issue was bound to come up at some point, but I don't think anybody expected it to be something like this.
According to the Denver Police Department, Semyon Varlamov has been arrested on domestic violence charges.
BREAKING- Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov turned himself in to Denver Police detectives for domestic violence related charges.
— Denver Police Dept (@DenverPolice) October 31, 2013
Ryan Parker of The Denver Post adds that Varlamov turned himself into police voluntarily. He's been processed and is currently in Denver County jail, where he will remain until he can see a judge, because it's an assault charge. So he's probably spending the night. The full list of charges, via the Post:
Varlamov turned himself in to police around 6 p.m. and is being held without bond on second-degree kidnapping and third-degree assault charges, police said. The kidnapping charge is a Class 4 felony, punishable by to two to six years in prison, according Colorado statutes. Class 4 felony kidnapping is defined by taking someone and moving them to another place without their consent.
The assault charge is a misdemeanor.
The Avalanche released a brief statement immediately after the news broke letting the media know that they would not be speaking on the matter.
"The Colorado Avalanche organization is aware of the allegations concerning Semyon Varlamov. At this time, and until the conclusion of this investigation, the Avalanche organization will have no further comment on this situation."
Varlamov, who has a cell to himself because he's famous, isn't talking either.
#Varlamov has refused the interview. #avalanche
— Ryan Parker (@ryanparkerdp) October 31, 2013
No surprise there.
It goes without saying that Varlamov is a big part of the Avalanche's start -- perhaps the biggest. He's 7-1 for the club this season, and right near the top of the leaderboard in both goals-against average and save percentage.
It remains to be seen how long the Avalanche will be without him. Even once he makes bail, the CBA allows for players under criminal investigation to be suspended.
UPDATE: Varlamov's agent, Paul Theofanous, released this statement to the media on Thursday morning:
"My client Semyon Varlamov is completely innocent of all of these charges."
- - - - - - -
is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
