(AP) Avs goalie Varlamov accused of kicking girlfriend
By PAT GRAHAM and COLLEEN SLEVIN
Associated Press
DENVER
Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov will be able to travel with the team while prosecutors consider whether he should be charged with assaulting his girlfriend.
On Thursday, a judge said Varlamov could be released if he posted $5,000 bond and be allowed to travel with the team but he was ordered to stay away from his girlfriend, among other restrictions.
The girlfriend told investigators that Varlamov kicked her in the chest, knocking her down, and stomped on her chest as she lay on the ground in her apartment on Monday, according to an arrest affidavit. The girlfriend, whose name was redacted, also accused Varlamov of dragging her by her hair and telling her that he would have beaten her more if they had been in Russia.
Varlamov appeared in court briefly Thursday. He spent the night in jail after turning himself in on Wednesday. He stood next to his lawyer to face Denver County Judge Claudia Jordan, who also told him, through a Russian interpreter, that he couldn’t drink or possess firearms. He also had to sign a waiver that he would be immediately sent back to Colorado if he fled.
The 25-year-old turned himself in to police Wednesday evening, after practicing with the team that day. He was arrested on suspicion of second-degree kidnapping and third-degree assault.
Varlamov’s agent, Paul Theofanous, said he “is completely innocent of all of these charges.”
Varlamov’s attorney, Jack Rotole, declined to comment on the case, saying he would defend his client in court.
He told the judge that the team is standing behind Varlamov.
The Avalanche said in a statement that they were aware of the allegations but wouldn’t comment further until the conclusion of the investigation.
Varlamov’s teammates took to the ice for practice on Thursday about the time he appeared in court. Afterward, they tried to dodge the topic of his case.
The Avalanche are off to a torrid 10-1 start and have become the talk of hockey under first-year coach Patrick Roy. Duchene doesn’t think this will derail the Avalanche.
Varlamov was scheduled to start in goal on Friday night in Dallas against the Stars. Roy wouldn’t commit to whether that’s still the plan. Varlamov will make the trip to Dallas with the team.
Acquired from Washington in a 2011 trade, Varlamov is 7-1 this season with a 1.76 goals-against average. On Sunday night, he made 24 saves in a 3-2 home victory over Winnipeg.
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