The Los Angeles Kings took quick action against the latest player in their organization to run into trouble with the law.Goaltender Patrik Bartosak, who played two games this season with the Kings' ECHL affiliate, was suspended without pay by the team Wednesday, a day after a report surfaced that he was charged with 12 domestic-related offences for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend in New Hampshire on Monday. The most serious of the charges Bartosak is facing is a felony for second-degree assault. He was also charged with simple assault, threatening and stalking.Bartosak allegedly pushed, slapped, punched and choked his girlfriend, while also threatening her life, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader. He reportedly showed up to her place of work following the incident and waited for her in the parking lot.The team released the following statement Wednesday afternoon.
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Bartosak, who was on a conditioning assignment with the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL, is free on a $10,000 bond. The 22-year-old, who was expected to be the starting goalie for the Kings' AHL affiliate, will appear in court next on Dec. 16. He posted a 2.14 goals against average in 28 AHL games a season ago.It's just the latest in a long list of ugly, off-ice incidents involving Kings players. Mike Richards and Jarret Stoll were both charged earlier this year for drug-related offences, while defenceman Slava Voynov was charged and jailed for domestic abuse. Voynov, who was suspended for 76 games by the NHL last season, was facing deportation from the United States and was likely to be cut from the Kings before returning home to Russia to play in the KHL.Richards and Stoll are no longer with the team, either. Richards' contract was terminated, while Stoll signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent.In an effort to address the continual off-ice issues plaguing the team, the Kings hired former NHLer Brantt Myhres before the start of the season as a player assistance director to help players deal with personal matters away from the ice. Players are encouraged to visit Myhres when facing personal troubles without the worry of losing ice time or having their matters exposed.Myhres battled drug issues throughout his career, and received a lifetime ban from the league in 2002.The Kings entered Wednesday in first place in the Pacific Division.This morning our Club suspended Patrik Bartosak for his actions resulting in his arrest in Manchester, NH on November 16. We take this matter very seriously. Our response in this matter reflects our extreme disappointment, particularly given the programs we have instituted internally and the commitment our organization has made to educating our players on the prevention of domestic violence. This is the first step in an ongoing process as we continue to gather information related to this incident and monitor the legal proceedings.