Domestic violence conviction against D Voynov dismissed
Former Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov, who has not played since the 2014-15 season, has a possible path to return to the NHL now that a domestic violence conviction from 2015 has been dismissed.
Voynov pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of corporal injury to a spouse following an altercation at his home in Redondo Beach, Calif., in October 2014. Police said Voynov punched, kicked and choked his wife.
Before deciding on the dismissal, the judge heard a doctor's account that Voynov had completed 28 domestic violence counseling sessions. The doctor added, however, that the couple lacked "emotional awareness" and struggled to "communicate effectively," court documents said. The counseling, Los Angeles County prosecutors argued, was not sufficient to satisfy the legal requirement after his plea.
Prosecutors objected to the conviction's dismissal, saying it was "impossible to determine" whether Voynov completed the conditions required of his probation after his plea because he returned to Russia.
They also cast doubt whether the doctor's counseling was adequate to satisfy the requirement of Voynov's plea.
In 2015, the Kings terminated Voynov's six-year, $25 million contract, and he was suspended indefinitely by the league. The Kings retain his rights, as he is technically under contract through the 2018-19 season.
"Any decision to reinstate Slava Voynov into the league is in the hands of the NHL. It is premature to comment prior to the NHL's ruling," the Kings wrote in a statement.
The NHL confirmed that Voynov had a meeting with commissioner Gary Bettman this spring to begin outlining the process of re-entering the league, according to ESPN. The league was going to wait for this court decision as well as clarity on Voynov's immigration status before moving forward.
In four seasons with the Kings, Voynov had 18 goals and 63 assists, with a plus-minus rating of plus-23.
--Field Level Media
