Semyon Varlamov Update: NHL goalie accused of beating girlfriend can still travel with team, judge says
(CBS/AP) DENVER - Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov, who was arrested on suspicion of second-degree kidnapping and third-degree assault of his girlfriend, will be able to travel with the team while prosecutors consider whether he should be officially charged.
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, 25, appeared in court briefly Thursday. He spent the previous 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 immediately be sent back to Colorado if he fled.
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.
"He has the full and total support of the Colorado Avalanche," he said.
The Avalanche said in a statement that they were aware of the allegations but wouldn't comment further until the conclusion of the investigation.
Robert Abrams, a lawyer who represents Varlamov's girlfriend, told CBS Denver Wednesday that Tuesday's alleged incident was one in a string of abuse incidents in the couple's relationship. Abrams referred to his client only as "E.V."
"This time E.V. said to us 'That's it, go lock him up,'" Abrams said. "This girl is 5-foot-3, 100-and-nothing pounds, he's 6-foot-2, a 210 pound professional athlete. This is a very sizeable force approaching you and this is terrifying."
Abrams claims Varlamov "threw her into the wall, she went to the floor and then he was stomping on her and that's what caused the bruising and the damage."
Abrams told CBS Denver his client claims Varlamov spent Monday afternoon drinking excessively and that on Tuesday morning the assault took place inside Varlamov's Denver apartment.
Abrams reportedly said the woman was hospitalized for her injuries.
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.
"It's an unfortunate situation and hopefully it gets resolved real soon, but we'll focus on hockey right now," forward Matt Duchene said. "That's what we're worried about."
The Avalanche are off to a torrid 10-1 start and have become the talk of hockey under first-year coach Patrick Roy.
Varlamov was scheduled to start in goal on Friday night in Dallas against the Stars.