Quick moves on the NHL! It’s good to see that some lessons were learned from the Rice case, and that Domestic Violence incidences are being taken more seriously and being acted on with more authority.
With the news that more than usual the amount of calls are coming into shelters and hotlines, the hope is that when it is shown that even the tough guys in sports aren’t able to dodge the bullet on DV charges and that it IS being taken seriously, that victims will understand better that they DO deserve better!
I also pray that with men watching the sports and news and hearing how DV is wrong, and what these men are going through because of their actions and that even as stars they have to take the consequences of their actions, that they will think twice about committing domestic violence themselves.
Only time will tell…
Thank You to the news sources and sports casters that are covering these cases and speaking out against Domestic Violence! Many don’t even realize that this is Domestic Violence Awareness Month as well as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but that’s ok…it seems that high profile cases are taking care of raising the awareness themselves!
Stay Safe!
~Angel Hugz~
Tracy
Slava Voynov arrested on domestic violence charges, suspended by NHL
By Chris Peters | Hockey Writer
October 20, 2014 10:41 am ET
Slava Voynov was arrested on domestic violence charges Monday. (USATSI)
The NHL announced Monday that Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov has been suspended indefinitely after an early morning arrest on domestic violence charges.
Here's the official statement in full from the NHL:
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov has been suspended indefinitely from all club activities pending a formal investigation by the National Hockey League of an arrest this morning on charges of domestic violence.
The suspension was imposed under Section 18-A.5 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which provides that, during the pendency of a criminal investigation, “The League may suspend the Player pending the League's formal review and disposition of the matter where the failure to suspend the Player during this period would create a substantial risk of material harm to the legitimate interests and/or reputation of the League.”
Voynov, who will continue to be paid during the pendency of the investigation, was arrested for California Penal Code section 273.5, Domestic Violence.
There are very few details at this time about what happened leading up to Voynov's arrest. Voynov is indeed innocent until proven guilty, but the NHL isn't going to let him play until more is learned about the allegations.
Given the climate of professional sports leagues and how they deal with domestic violence issues, the NHL wasted no time. The league apparently knew about the arrest before just about anyone else as the NHL's announcement preceded any reports of Voynov's arrest.
How quickly the league reacted to these allegations offers quite the contrast to how the NHL handled domestic violence allegations against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov, who was arrested around this time last year. Varlamov barely missed any time and the charges were eventually dropped.
The heat the NFL took over the early stages of its own season regarding the incident involving Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens has certainly put other leagues on notice.
The NHL is doing the right thing by not waiting for the league process to sort itself out this time. The collective bargaining agreement section that covers "off-ice conduct" will continue to allow Voynov to be paid, though. He will also still count against the Kings salary cap, leaving them with almost no flexibility to replace him.
UPDATE: According to Lisa Dillman of the LA Times, the Redondo Beach Police Department is handling the Voynov investigation. Voynov is due in court Wednesday.
Rich Hammond of the Orange County Register filled in a few more details:
According to information on the Los Angeles Sheriff Department's website, Voynov was arrested at 12:45 a.m. Monday by Redondo Beach police. The initial arrest report does not specify the charges Voynov might face, but does say he faces felony charges.
The Redondo Beach P.D. is expected to issue a statement regarding Voynov's arrest later Monday afternoon.
UPDATE II: Voynov has been released on bond, per Hammond:
Per Redondo Beach jail, Voynov was released on $50,000 bond "about 20 minutes ago."
The Los Angeles Kings released the following statement regarding Voynov's arrest:
These developments are of great concern to our organization. We support the NHL's decision to suspend Slava Voynov indefinitely during this process and we will continue to take appropriate action as the legal proceedings and the investigation by the NHL take their course.
To keep up with Updates on this story on CBS Sports.com , read more!