Summary Voynov could receive a sentence up to nine years in prison if convicted.
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - US prosecutors have charged Russian defenceman Slava Voynov with alleged spousal abuse in connection with an incident last month at his Los Angeles home.
Prosecutors announced Thursday that Voynov has been charged with one count of corporal injury to spouse with great bodily injury for an alleged attack on his wife at their Redondo Beach home.
The 24-year-old Voynov, of Chelyabinsk, is under indefinite suspension by the National Hockey League. The Los Angeles Kings defenceman last played October 19, the night of the alleged attack.
According to court documents Voynov s wife suffered "serious" injuries during an argument at their home. She was treated in hospital for injuries to her eye, cheek and neck. Voynov was interviewed by police at the hospital and then taken into custody on suspicion of domestic violence.
Voynov is scheduled to appear in a Los Angeles courtroom on December 1. He is presently free on bail.
The NHL immediately suspended Voynov indefinitely following news of the incident and said it would continue with that through the duration of the case.
"We are aware of the actions taken today in California, which we will review and evaluate before making any decisions," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Thursday. "Until further notice, the current terms of Mr Voynov s suspension remain in place."
The Kings said they back the NHL s lengthy ban of Voynov. Voynov was the Kings second round pick (32nd overall) in the 2008 NHL entry draft and helped them win the Stanley Cup last season.
"We maintain our support of the NHL s indefinite suspension of Slava Voynov," the Kings said in a news release Thursday.
Voynov played for Russia in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and won two gold medals with Russia at the World Junior Hockey Championships in 2008 and 2009.
Voynov s wife, Marta Varlamova, has previously said she doesn t want her husband to be charged because she doesn t believe he was trying to hurt her.
