The Los Angeles Kings have suspended goaltending prospect Patrik Bartosak following allegations of domestic abuse that surfaced on Tuesday. He is suspended without pay, according to Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times.
The Kings announced the suspension with the following statement:
This morning our Club suspended Patrik Bartosak for his actions resulting in his arrest in Manchester, NH on November 16. We take this matter very seriously. Our response in this matter reflects our extreme disappointment, particularly given the programs we have instituted internally and the commitment our organization has made to educating our players on the prevention of domestic violence. This is the first step in an ongoing process as we continue to gather information related to this incident and monitor the legal proceedings.
Following a year that saw Slava Voynov plead no contest to “corporal injury to spouse with a great bodily injury,” and two members of the team apprehended with drugs on them, the team implemented a domestic violence and drug abuse education program.
The goaltender is facing 12 charges related to an incident that involves some horrifying allegations, including a felony charge of second-degree assault for attempting to strangle his girlfriend, seven “domestic simple assault charges” and three “criminal threatening charges,” according to a report in the New Hampshire Union Leader.
According to the Union Leader, Bartosak will have a hearing on December 16 and a trial on January 28.
