Slava Voynov didn’t wait long to get back into playing pro hockey, as the former Los Angeles Kings defenseman will reportedly sign with the KHL’s SKA St. Petersburg per Sport-Express’s Igor Eronko.
Slava Voynov set to sign with #SKA of the #KHL #LAKings
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) October 2, 2015
Voynov served time in luxury jail this summer after getting arrested for domestic violence and pleading no contest. He was eventually convicted and ordered to serve 90 days in prison with three years’ probation. After getting released, he was taken into custody by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Suspended indefinitely by the NHL, Voynov notified the league in September that he was done playing for the Kings and returning to Russia, terminating his contract and leaving the U.S.
At the time, he released this statement.
“Earlier today, I notified the National Hockey League, the National Hockey League Players’ Association and the Los Angeles Kings of my decision to immediately begin the formal process of returning to Russia with my family. 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 LA Kings success in the future.”
Voynov was a big part of the Kings cup winning teams in 2012 and 2014 and was developing into a offensive threat posting 59 points in 130 games between 2012-13 to 2013-14. He only appeared in six games last season due to his suspension.
He joins an SKA St. Petersburg squad full of former NHLers including former New Jersey Devils sniper Ilya Kovalchuk, former Columbus Blue Jackets forward Joakim Lindstrom, and former Tampa Bay Lightning forward Evgeny Artyukhin. St. Petersburgh currently has an 8-7-1 record.
