Colorado Avalanche: Semyon Varlamov Civil Trial
Colorado Avalanche goal tender Semyon Varlamov is involved in a civil trial, being sued by his ex-girlfriend for pain, suffering and loss of income from an alleged domestic abuse incident in 2013.
On October 30, 2013, Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov turned himself in to Denver police. His then-girlfriend, Evgeniya Vavinkyuk, had reported to the police that Varlamov had attacked her.
Denver police arrested Varlamov on charges of second-degree felony kidnapping and third-degree misdemeanor assault. He spent one night in jail but was released the following morning.
Prosecutors did not file kidnapping charges and eventually dropped the assault charges, so Varlamov never appeared in court.
Vavinkyuk subsequently filed a civil suit against Varlamov on October 27, 2014. The basis of her lawsuit is that she suffered emotional distress and injury at the hands of Varlamov during the course of an argument escalating to violence in their then-shared home. She is seeking damages and coverage of medical costs, according to 9 News.
The civil trial began on January 25, 2016. While attending the legal proceedings, Semyon Varlamov did not join the Colorado Avalanche on a recent road trip. He missed the back-to-back games against the San Jose Sharks and LA Kings.
At the time of writing, the civil trial was still in progress in Denver District Court. Second Judicial District Court Judge Morris B. Hoffman is presiding.
Regular back up goalie Reto Berra has been out since the December 21 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He injured his ankle while playing pre-game soccer with teammates in the Pepsi Center hallways. The initial prognosis was that he’d be gone only 10 days, but no timeline has been given on his return as of now.
The Colorado Avalanche have been using Calvin Pickard as Semyon Varlamov’s back up. With Varlamov’s attendance of the civil trial preventing his joining the team on the recent road trip, the team recalled Roman Will from the AHL-affiliate San Antonio Rampage to serve as Pickard’s back up.
Calvin Pickard got both starts, in San Jose and in Los Angeles. However, he was one of three players suffering from flu-like symptoms in San Jose, and he allowed four goals in 18 shots. Head coach Patrick Roy put Will in as his replacement during the third period.
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Pickard recorded 35 saves against the Kings, helping the Colorado Avalanche to victory.
The NHL has adjourned on a five-day break for the All Star Weekend. Semyon Varlamov’s civil trial is still taking place. There is no published finish date for the trial.
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Today, according to BSN Avalanche, Colorado Avalanche Senior Vice President of Business and Team Operations Greg Sherman, head coach Patrick Roy and captain Gabriel Landeskog were all called to give accounts of the circumstances surrounding the incident between Semyon Varlamov and Evgeniya Vavinkyuk.