Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov is to appear in court Thursday on kidnapping and assault charges that Denver police say arose from a domestic dispute.
Varlamov, 25, turned himself in Wednesday, an arrest warrant having been issued Tuesday. He was held without bail ahead of his first court hearing scheduled for Thursday morning, the Denver County sheriff's department said on its website.
Police released few details about the case, only saying that it involved someone with whom Varlamov was in an intimate relationship.
The kidnapping charge is a felony, and the assault is a misdemeanor, Sergeant Steve Warneke told a news conference.
Kidnapping carriers a maximum sentence of six years in prison under Colorado law.
The Avalanche said in a statement the team was "aware of the allegations," but would make no further comments until the investigation is over.
Warneke refused to speculate whether Varlamov received any special treatment because of his celebrity status. "I don't know what happens once they get to Denver Sheriff's, if they do any particulars for high profile, in regards to keeping them safe," he said.
The goaltender's father said that his son is completely innocent and blamed the media for exaggerating in their reports about the incident.
"There will be a hearing, and only afterwards will we be able to give some kind of comment," Alexander Varlamov told RIA Novosti. "I can only say one thing with complete responsibility: No crime has been committed whatsoever," he added.
"The media have simply blown the situation out of proportion: There was no kidnapping, even less any kind of acts of violence. I can't say any more, because the lawyer won't be too happy," Varlamov senior said.
Signed from Washington in 2011, Varlamov is 7-1 this season with a 1.76 goals-against average, according to The Associated Press.
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