Russia's attempt to have Slava Voynov on its World Cup of Hockey roster has come up short.
The country has acknowledged Voynov's ineligibility to play in the tournament and will now have the opportunity to replace him, an NHL source told TSN's Gary Lawless.
bottom line - Slava Voynov won't play in World Cup of Hockey #nhl #nhlpa
— gary lawless (@garylawless) July 18, 2016
Russia named Voynov to its final roster back in May, but the move was swiftly rejected by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Following Bettman's ruling, Russia planned to negotiate his inclusion, which has since also been rejected.
The former Los Angeles Kings defenseman left for Russia after U.S. Immigration stated it was looking to deport him this past September, following his three-month jail sentence for a domestic violence charge.
The 26-year-old signed a three-year contract with the KHL's SKA St. Petersburg this past October where he put up just seven assists in 23 games.
