LOS ANGELES—Shortly after being released from the Seal Beach Police Detention Center on Wednesday, September 2, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov was taken into by custody U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The 25-year-old Voynov now awaits a hearing by an immigration judge, who will determine whether he should be allowed to remain in the country on his visa. He is currently being held without bail at an unknown detention facility.
The defenseman also faces possible deportation back to his native country of Russia. If such were the case, Voynov may see an abrupt end to his time with the Kings, and possibly his NHL career.
According to league Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, the NHL is aware of the situation and is monitoring the proceedings closely.
Also closely following the saga is Sergei Gomolyako, the general manager of KHL team Traktor Chelyabinsk. Gomolyako has stated that he has a spot ready for Voynov on his team’s roster, should the defenseman be sent back to Russia.
Voynov began his 90-day prison sentence back on July 7 after pleading no contest to charges of corporal spousal injury. He also received three years probation and an immediate suspension by the NHL.
Voynov is accused of choking and kicking his wife, 27-year-old Marta Varlamova, several hours after a home game on October 20.
Varlamova was transported to the hospital shortly after; she was reunited with Voynov one day later. Varlamova has spoken out in support of her husband, believing that he did not deserve to be arrested or jailed for the incident.
Voynov was drafted by the LA Kings in the 2008 NHL Draft as a second-round pick. The defenseman played 6 games into the 2014-2015 season before his arrest. His six-year, $25 million contract with the team is still active as of Friday.
