The girlfriend of young Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Galchenyuk was arrested Sunday after a domestic disturbance at a party according to Montreal paper La Presse. Sportsnet.ca reports that police confirmed the arrest of Chanel Leszczynski and that she was taken in on domestic abuse charges.
Galchenyuk is not pressing charges according to La Presse, but the case will be transferred to the director of criminal and penal prosecutions to decide if charges should be laid in the matter, as it does for all domestic violence incidents.
According to reports, Galchenyuk was hosting a party at his Montreal apartment when the incident occurred. Someone from the party called 911. Beyond that, much of the nature of the incident is unknown at this time.
Officers from the Police Service of the City of Montreal (SPVM) were dispatched to the scene. Reportedly, the officers questioned Mr. Galchenyuk and guests, as well as customers and building staff. Ms. Leszczynski was arrested after being identified as the instigator of the fight. While the Canadiens player has chosen not to file a complaint of domestic violence. Procedure requires the police to forward the case to prosecutors for review.
This is the second high-profile off-ice incident for a Canadiens player this season. Before the season began, forward Zack Kassian was involved in a single-vehicle accident in the early morning hours. He was said to be the passenger in the car, but the Canadiens ordered him to undergo treatment in the NHL/NHLPA substance abuse and behavioral health program. After he was cleared to play, the Habs traded Kassian to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for goalie Ben Scrivens. Kassian never managed to play a regular-season game for the Habs after he was acquired last summer for popular enforcer Brandon Prust.
Galchenyuk is having a breakout year presently. He has 27 points in 43 games and is on pace to top 50 points for the first time in his four-year career. The former No. 3 overall pick has appeared in 236 games for Montreal and has 131 points.
