How the Predators and NHL have handled allegations of domestic violence, sexual assault

Jon Garcia | USA Today Network - Tennessee

Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson was charged with domestic assault over the weekend in Franklin.

According to an arrest warrant, Watson and his girlfriend — with whom he had a child in April — got into an argument in a vehicle at a gas station about her drinking and not being able to attend a wedding.

At the scene, the affidavit continues, Watson admitted to pushing his girlfriend and an officer noticed red marks on the woman’s chest.

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Watson was arrested, booked into the Williamson County Jail, and later posted a $4,500 bond.

He’s due in Williamson County General Sessions Court next week on the matter.

The NHL currently does not have any policy on domestic violence or sexual assault specifically. They do, however, have a clause in their collective bargaining agreement pertaining to criminal investigation in general.

Section 18-A.5 states, "the League may suspend the Player pending the League's formal review and disposition of the matter where the failure to suspend the Player during this period would create a substantial risk of material harm to the legitimate interests and/or reputation of the League."

Several NHL players — including a former Nashville Predators forward — have been involved in alleged domestic and sexual assault incidents. In almost all the recent cases, the league has taken a wait-and-see approach, opting in most cases not to suspend or terminate players.

Mike Ribeiro

In 2015 a civil suit was filed against Predators center Mike Ribeiro, accusing the NHL forward of sexually assaulting his former nanny in 2012 at his home in McLean, Va., shortly after signing with the Washington Capitals.

Ribeiro and his wife later settled the lawsuit.

Ribeiro made Predators general manager David Poile aware of the allegations before signing a one-year, $1.05 million contract in 2014, according to agent Don Meehan. In the news release written by the Predators to announce the signing, Poile said that the team had "done our due diligence."

"We have been made aware of a complaint against Mike Ribeiro, dating back to his playing time while he was in Dallas," the team said in a statement in March 2015. "Mike has indicated that the charge is without merit and is prepared to vigorously defend himself. We will allow the legal process to move forward without further comment."

More: New details on Predators Mike Ribeiro's case released

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The Predators re-signed Ribeiro that summer to a two-year, $7 million contract. He never missed any playing time.

Here's what Poile said to reporters at the 2015 NHL Draft, according to Yahoo! Sports:

“We spent a lot of time with Mike before signing him last year. He talked about his past and his plan and commitment moving forward, both on and off the ice. After much discussion, we did sign him last July to a one-year deal. Mike turned out to be a good teammate, a productive player and a person of character amongst his teammates, the community and with his family.... “We should also point to our track record, being an organization of integrity and character and in particular the focus on having good people as part of this organization. We have a strong track record of dealing with players — from suspending two players during the playoffs for off-ice actions, to supporting Jordin Tootoo and encouraging his participation in the league’s program to get his life in order, to signing players like Brian McGrattan and Rich Clune, who has had issues earlier in their respective careers but were on the right track and became productive members of our team, both on and off the ice.

In February 2017, the Predators placed Ribeiro on waivers and reassigned him to the team's American Hockey League minor league affiliate in Milwaukee. He has not played in the NHL since.

Slava Voynov

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of corporal injury to a spouse in 2015.

Police testimony of the case described the scene in graphic and disturbing detail.

After he was arrested in 2014, the NHL suspended him indefinitely, citing Section 18-A.5. The Kings later terminated his six-year, $25 million contract.

He spent two months in jail and opted to return to Russia rather than go through deportation proceedings.

He currently plays for SKA St. Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League and played for the Olympic Athletes from Russia during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Kings' Slava Voynov taken into custody by immigration officials Slava Voynov was taken into custody Wednesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, throwing the NHL future of the young Kings defenseman into question.

He is petitioning the Los Angeles County Superior Court to dismiss the conviction, which could be the first step in a potential return to the NHL.

He remains suspended by the league and would have to face a hearing in front of Commissioner Gary Bettman before being able to rejoin, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told the Los Angeles Times.

Patrick Kane

Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane was investigated in relation to an alleged sexual assault of a 21-year-old woman at his summer home in Buffalo, N.Y.

Kane denied the allegations at a Blackhawks press conference shortly after the news broke.

The investigation took one strange turn after another. The accuser's lawyer called a news conference to say a bag containing the accuser's rape kit was anonymously dropped off on her mother's doorstep. The lawyer resigned a day later, citing concerns about whether the mother lied to him about how she came in possession of the bag.

After three months, Erie County district attorney Frank A. Sedita III announced that Kane would not face charges, citing "significant material inconsistencies between the complainant's accounts and those of other witnesses," according to the New York Times.

Police investigating NHL player Patrick Kane Hamburg Police Chief Greg Wickett confirmed the launch of an investigation into Chicago Blackhawks star forward Patrick Kane over an alleged incident at the player's home last weekend. He did not reveal the nature of the investigation. (Aug. 7)

"I have repeatedly said that I did nothing wrong," Kane said in a statement after the investigation was closed. "I have respected the legal process, and I am glad that this matter has now been closed, and I will have nothing further to say going forward."

The Blackhawks' statement was similar, saying, "We respect the announcement today by the Erie County (N.Y.) District Attorney regarding Patrick Kane. The Chicago Blackhawks organization has taken this matter very seriously, and has tried to navigate a very sensitive situation while continually respecting the legal proceedings. At this time we will have no further comment.”

Kane was never suspended during the investigation, which was ongoing when the NHL started the 2015-16 season.

Evander Kane

Then a forward with the Buffalo Sabres, Evander Kane — no relation to Patrick — was the subject of a 2016 investigation that looked into allegations of a possible sexual assault. The incident allegedly took place on Dec. 27, 2015, at a downtown Buffalo hotel where Kane lived.

Kane was never charged, and no criminal complaint was ever filed against him.

According to the Associated Press, a suit was later filed against Kane by a 21-year-old woman. The court papers described his actions as "unwanted, unconsecrated to, violent and offensive in nature physical battery."

Also in 2016, Kane pleaded not guilty to non-criminal harassment, disorderly conduct and trespass after he was alleged to have grabbed three women during an altercation at a downtown Buffalo bar that June.

He was arrested after turning himself into police on July 22, 2016. All charges were dropped in May 2017, according to the Buffalo News.

Kane never missed any playing time.

The former Atlanta Thrashers draft pick was traded from Buffalo to the San Jose Sharks at the 2018 NHL Trade Deadline, and recently signed a seven-year contract worth $48 million.

Semyon Varlamov

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov was charged with third-degree assault and second-degree kidnapping in 2013 after allegedly attacking his girlfriend at her home in Denver.

Varlamov was arrested after voluntarily turning himself in to Denver Police detectives on Oct. 30, 2013.

The case was dismissed after prosecutors said they could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

More: Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov's assault case dismissed

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According to an arrest affidavit, Varlamov's girlfriend said he knocked her down with a kick, stomped on her chest and dragged her by her hair.

After the incident, she told KUSA-TV: "I want everyone to know, all the fans to know, that he's not the great Semyon Varlamov. Great people don't beat up their women. They don't belittle them ... throw out like dogs. I want people to know this, that this man can be an animal."

At the time, the Avalanche released a statement that read: "The Colorado Avalanche organization is aware of the allegations concerning Semyon Varlamov. At this time, and until the conclusion of this investigation, the Avalanche organization will have no further comment on this situation."

Varlamov was never suspended, and suited up for Colorado's game on Nov. 1, 2013, in Dallas.

Ben Johnson

NHL prospect Ben Johnson was convicted in 2016 of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in a bathroom stall at a Windsor, Ontario, club in March 2013 when he was 18. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

Johnson was playing for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League at the time. The OHL is one of the three major junior development leagues for players between the ages of 16 and 21.

He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2012, and continued to play for the Spitfires until signing an amateur tryout contract with the Devils' AHL affiliate, the Albany Devils, in 2014.

He played 49 AHL games and 25 in the East Coast Hockey League until New Jersey terminated his contract following the conviction.

Johnson has never played in an NHL game.

Drew Doughty

Prosecutors in Los Angeles County reviewed a sexual assault allegation against Kings' defenseman Drew Doughty in 2012.

According to the Los Angeles Times, a 25-year-old woman alleged Doughty had "intercourse with her against her will" after the two went to his house following a meeting at a bar.

Prosecutors cited insufficient evidence as they declined to file charges.