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The Los Angeles Kings allowed defenseman Slava Voynov to skate with teammates on Tuesday despite an indefinite suspension from the NHL related to pending domestic violence charges from October. The NHL promptly announced that the Kings have been fined $100,000 for allowing him to do so.
Voynov's suspension states that he is barred from all club activities and Kings general manager Dean Lombardi confirmed that there has been no change in Voynov's status, per Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times. Team officials originally would not comment on why Voynov was on the ice Tuesday, but Lombardi later stated that he thought it would be good for Voynov to be around his teammates for the day.
The Kings also said that they thought Voynov could skate because the practice session was optional, according to Rich Hammond. Hammond adds that every member of the team participated in the session.
Gaborik and Slava pic.twitter.com/wCozmnKjjc
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) December 2, 2014
The NHL released a statement confirming that Voynov is not allowed to participate in club activities during his suspension:
Voynov skated with teammates today during a Club practice. Such activity is in direct contravention of the terms of the suspension levied Oct. 20, which permit Mr. Voynov to use club facilities and work with team personnel but prohibit his participation in any team-related functions or activities.
Voynov was charged with a felony count of domestic violence on Nov. 20. He pled not guilty to the charge at his arraignment hearing on Monday and will be back in court on Dec. 15 for a preliminary hearing. The district attorney requested a no-contact order between Voynov and his wife, but the judge declined the motion. Voynov and his wife still live together and she requested through her attorney that the charges be dropped.
Voynov has still been paid during his suspension and the Kings recently received salary cap relief by being permitted to place Voynov on long-term injured reserve.