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This is going to be one mess out of the Los Angeles Kings' hair.
According to Rich Hammond of the OC Register, Slava Voynov has decided to self-depArt: (Not to be confused with self deport)
Slava Voynov's agent has announced that Voynov intends to return to Russia with his family (self-deport).
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) September 16, 2015This will alleviate the Kings of any financials owed to the 25-year old defenseman.
Slava Voynov had $19.25M in actual dollars owed on the remaining four years of his contract ... #LAKings now off the hook.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 16, 2015Here is the statement form Voynov through his agent:
Full statement from Rolland Hedges, Slava Voynov's lawyer: #NHL pic.twitter.com/olgmGK9ex7
— Hockey News Updates (@HockeyNews_365) September 16, 2015here also is the full statement given by the Los Angeles Kings:
Voynov was previously arrested by ICE on September 3rd after having served his 90 day jail sentence in Seal Beach for a no contest plea on misdemeanor domestic violence.
The Chelyabinsk native missed the entirety of last year while the investigation was underway, and had just recently signed a 6-year $25-million dollar extension with the Kings that started in 2013-14. He was set to become a UFA in 2019-2020.
Drafted in the 2008 second round, Voynov made his first NHL appearance in 2011-12 after three seasons in Manchester. He will now reportedly head back to Chelyabinsk, a place where he played his junior hockey with Traktor Chelyabinsk. It is unknown at this point if he will play in the KHL but it seems like a likely occurrence. Voynov could technically return to the NHL, but would still face discipline if he ever did. He would also have to apply for a new visa, as stated by L.A. Times writer Helene Elliott, is not a guarantee.
@Real_ESPNLeBrun and he'd have to get a new visa to re-enter the U.S., and it's far from certain he'd get one.
— Helene Elliott (@helenenothelen) September 16, 2015The Kings can now put this issue to rest, as can the fanbase and twitter world. Slava Voynov will never don a Kings jersey again, and will never be playing in the NHL ever again. With the National Hockey League attempting to broaden their collective involvement in the awareness over substance abuse and domestic violence, the Voynov saga has been highlighted quite prominently in the past year.
The Kings recently signed former enforcer Brantt Myrhes to help promote education and enhance awareness regarding domestic violence and substance abuse issues . Myhres himself has struggled with the issues but is here to help.
Myhres said he has been clean and sober for more than seven years and long held a vision about assisting current players, circulating proposals to NHL teams and the NHL Players Assn. about creating a specific in-house program. He previously studied substance abuse behavioral health at Mount Royal University in Calgary and said he also had talks with the NHLPA in July before deciding to join the Kings.
Also, form Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
Per LA: "will soon announce series of new Conduct Awareness Training Initiatives that reflect values & principles central to our franchise"
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) September 16, 2015The NHL and the Kings are rightfully taking these issues that have happened with a more pro-active stance moving forward. That is good news for everyone around the hockey world. More news to come as details emerge, but it looks like we can finally put a collective lock on Slava Voynov and the Los Angeles Kings.
For more hockey oriented talk, pop on over to the previous blog where I gave some impressions of the Kings Coyotes rookie game from last night!