Judge Allows Varlamov To Travel With Avalanche
DENVER (CBS4) - Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov will be allowed to travel with the team following his arrest on domestic violence related charges, a Denver judge said Thursday.
Varlamov, 25, appeared before the judge with a yellow jail jumpsuit on and didn't say anything in court. The judge set his bond at $5,000 and said he will be required to not drink alcohol, may not possess weapons and may not make any contact with his girlfriend as a condition of his release.
The starting goalie turned himself in to police on Wednesday after a warrant went out for his arrest.
He faces second degree kidnapping and third degree assault charges stemming from an incident early Tuesday in which he allegedly beat up his girlfriend while drunk.
Varlamov's girlfriend told police that Varlamov kicked her in the chest, knocking her to the ground, and then stomped on her. According to court documents, he "grabbed her by the hair and dragged her out of the bedroom by her hair."
He allegedly then said in Russian that "if this were Russia, he would have beat her more." The woman's lawyer told CBS4 she was treated at the hospital for her injuries.
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Varlamov's attorney didn't say much to reporters on Thursday at the courthouse other than to say that his client is eager to get back on the ice. The goalie's agent told the Associated Press that "Varlamov is completely innocent on all charges."
The Avalanche will travel to Dallas to face the Stars on Friday night and so far it's not clear if Varlamov will play in that game.
When asked about Varlamov's status at practice on Thursday, new head coach Patrick Roy wasn't aware until reporters told him that Varlamov was granted permission to travel with the team.
"We're going to take it one day at a time like we've been doing all year long, and obviously we're probably going to receive calls this afternoon so we can make a decision on how we're going to deal with the situation," Roy said.
"I would prefer for us to see what's going to transpire from the decision of the judge and hearing from the lawyer and we'll let you know more after."
Roy said it's important for him to keep the focus on his team and "at the same time let the law decide what's going to be."
The Avalanche have been on a tear to start the season. They lost only one of their 11 games in their first month, and Varlamov has been a key part of that success.
Varlamov grew up in Russia. In July 2011 the Avalanche acquired him from the Washington Capitals in exchange for draft picks.
The arrest drew sharp criticism in Russia. Varlamov is a candidate to be a goalie on Russia's national hockey team, and the head of a sports committee there said in an interview with Voice of Russia radio that "this is an attempt to weaken our national team."
COURT DOCUMENT: Read the arrest affidavit in the case
