LA Kings' Voynov to face March trial date on domestic violence charge

TORRANCE, Calif. -- Los Angeles Kings defenceman Slava Voynov faces a March trial date on a charge of beating his wife.

City News Service says Voynov pleaded not guilty to a felony domestic violence charge at his arraignment Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

A judge set a preliminary trial date of March 2 for the Russian Olympian.

Police say the two-time Stanley Cup champ choked and hit his wife and pushed her into a TV in their bedroom after an argument that began at a Halloween party on Oct. 19. A cut over her eye required eight stitches.

Defence lawyers say Voynov's wife wrote a letter to prosecutors saying her injuries were an accident, though a judge didn't accept that evidence during a preliminary hearing.

Voynov is suspended from the NHL.