Slava Voynov named to Russian roster, status for World Cup unclear

Former Los Angeles Kings defenceman Slava Voynov is no sure thing to play in the World Cup of Hockey despite being named to Russia's final roster on Friday.

Voynov served two months in jail on domestic violence charges, was detained by immigration officials and voluntarily returned to Russia last year. Those legal troubles could keep him out of the tournament.

"We will obviously have to review his status with the Players' Association prior to the start of the tournament in September," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "It is not my current expectation that this player will be deemed eligible to play in the World Cup of Hockey."

The Players' Association said it is reviewing the matter with the NHL. The Russian Federation, which named Voynov to the roster, and his agent did not immediately to messages seeking comment.

The World Cup is being run by the NHL and NHLPA and takes place Sept. 17-Oct. 1 in Toronto.

The NHL suspended Voynov for the final 76 games last season after he was arrested at his Redondo Beach home in October. Police say he choked and kicked his wife, and Voynov was charged with a felony and pleaded no contest to a reduced misdemeanor.

After Voynov chose to leave the United States when facing deportation, his contract with $19.25 million US left on it was voided by the Kings.

The 26-year-old signed a three-year deal with SKA in St. Petersburg of the KHL and represented Russia at the world hockey championships, which is run by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Voynov was one of four new defencemen named Russia's World Cup roster along with Alexei Emelin of the Montreal Canadiens, Alexey Marchenko of the Detroit Red Wings and recently-signed Nikita Zaitsev of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Voynov helped the Kings win the Stanley Cup twice and had 81 points in 190 regular-season games.