Suspended Kingsdefenseman Slava Voynovhas notified the NHL he intends to return to his native Ru sia andwill not report to the team this season.
Voynov announced hisdecision Wednesday eveningin a statement via hisattorney.
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"Earlier today, I notified the National Hockey League, the National Hockey League Players' A sociation and the Los Angles Kyle Shurmur Jerseys Kings of my decision to immediately begin the formal proce s of returning to Ru sia with my family," Voynov said in the statement.
"I sincerely apologize to those in and around the game of hockey, who have been affected by my situation and I also wish the players of the L.A. Kings succe s in the future," he added.
Voynov, a Ru sian citizen, of the Troy Apke Jerseys U.S. Department ofImmigration and Customs Enforcement while awaitinga hearing regarding his immigration status. He in July to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in Los Angeles Superior Court following his arrestin October 2014for allegedly punching, choking and kicking his wife during a dispute. He served a portion ofhis 90-day jail sentence in California before the custody transfer.
With the Kings set to begin training camp Thursday, Voynovwas facing an uncertain future with the club, whichsuspended him indefinitely after his arrest.
Today's sports headlinesIn a statement, thatVoynov would not return to the team under any circumstances. The clubalso said it will not terminate hissix-year, $25 million contract, which allows for his Chase Young Hoodies Sweatshirts rights to beretained, because Voynov's decision to deport to Ru sia was his own.
The Kings said they otherwise planned to terminate the contract, which will not count against the team's salary cap.
In retaining Voynov's rights, the Kings would be Tress Way Jerseys able to seek a trade for the defenseman. But the complications of any deal going forward are twofold: 1.) Voynov would need to obtain a new visa should he seek reentry into the United States, which would be difficult because of the violent nature of the incident;2.) If Voynov were to be granted a visa, he likely would be subjectto a suspension or other disciplinary measures by the NHL.
Later Wednesday, a downcast Kings general manager Dean Lombardi told reporters on aconference call he had been "negligent" with regard tothe recent off-ice conduct of Voynov and otherKings players. Hevowed "to fix that going forward" by using a new internal training programto teach players aboutdomestic violence anddrug Kendall Fuller Jerseys abuse.
In the past year, now-former Kings forwardsJarret Stoll andMike Richards were charged with drug-related offenses. All-Star defenseman Drew Doughty faced sexual a sault allegations in 2012. Stolland Richards both had their contracts terminated followingtheir arrests.
Voynov's case has been the most high-profile of the group, particularly in light of the NFL's recent i sues with domestic violence.
"In terms of all this, the last seven or eightmonths, it has really opened my eyes to a lot of things. Everything," Lombardi said. "Like anything else, we're going to get better from this as an organization.I'm convinced.''
Voynov, 25, spent Sam Howell Jerseys three seasons with the Kings and helped the franchise wintwo Stanley Cuptitles. Helast playedin a game onOct. 19, 2014.