The Los Angeles Kings have suspended goaltending prospect Patrik Bartosak in the wake of his arrest amid a reported 12 domestic-related charges. Bartosak is accused of making threats to and assaulting a woman identified in reports as his girlfriend in Manchester, N.H.
Bartosak allegedly punched, slapped and choked the 20-year-old woman. He also is accused of texting threatening messages to the woman and waiting for her where she worked.
You can read more about the disturbing charges against Bartosak here.
Here is the Kings’ statement regarding the suspension:
“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."
The team alluded to the programs the team enacted after three players ran into significant legal trouble last season. One such player was defenseman Slava Voynov, who was arrested on a domestic violence charge himself just last season. He voluntarily left the country after pleading no contest and serving some jail time. Bartosak could find himself in a similar situation given that he hails from the Czech Republic.
Bartosak was in Manchester on a conditioning assignment from the Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Ontario Reign. He had played in Manchester last season when the Monarchs, now the Kings’ ECHL affiliate, was still in the AHL.
The 22-year-old netminder spent most of last season with the Manchester Monarchs. He helped the team win the Calder Cup as AHL champion, playing in the decisive Game 5. He rose to prominence in the Kings’ pipeline after winning the Canadian Hockey League’s Goalie of the Year award in 2012-13 while playing for the Red Deer Rebels in the WHL.
Bartosak had not yet appeared in a game with Ontario when he was sent down to the ECHL to get some reps in. He played in two games with the Monarchs over the weekend.
The alleged assault occurred Monday. The Czech goalie has a hearing scheduled for Dec. 16 to address the felony assault charge he faces. He also is scheduled to stand trial for multiple misdemeanors on Jan. 28 according to the Manchester Union Leader.
