Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov was in court Monday for an advisement hearing related to a misdemeanor assault charge after his girlfriend said he attacked her.
In a brief hearing, the judge continued the bond for Varlamov, 25, a Russian citizen. His girlfriend, Evgeniya Vavrinyuk, 24, has a restraining order against him. Varlamov assured the judge that he has read and understands the order.
He wore a blue suit and appeared with his attorney and a translator. They declined to comment after the hearing.
Varlamov’s next Denver court hearing is Jan. 22, 2014, where he will have the opportunity to enter a plea.
Vavrinyuk told investigators Varlamov attacked her on Oct. 30 in her apartment. According to an arrest affidavit, she said he knocked her down with a kick, stomped on her chest and dragged her by her hair. She also says Varlamov told her he would have beaten her more if they had been in Russia.
Varlamov is free on $5,000 bond and has been traveling and playing with the team. If convicted of third-degree assault, his sentence could range from probation to two years in jail.
After the hearing, Lynn Kimbrough, a spokeswoman for Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey, said allowing defendants, especially in misdemeanor cases, “to work and travel is not unusual.”
The roster for the Russian Olympic men’s ice hockey team has not been set, but based on his National Hockey League play this year with the Avalanche, Varlamov is a likely candidate to start in goal for the Russian team.
More than 13,000 misdemeanor cases are heard in Denver annually, and many are settled without going to trial, Kimbrough said.
“Most end with a negotiated plea,” she said.
Even if the case is not settled prior to the Sochi Winter Olympics, which will run Feb. 7 to Feb. 23, Varlamov could petition the court to allow him to travel to Russia for the games.
“It could be the subject of a defense motion,” Kimbrough said. “It would be up to the court.”
