MOSCOW, September 17 (RAPSI) – Vyacheslav Voynov, defenseman of Los Angeles Kings Hockey Club, said through his attorney that he planned to return to Russia with his family, R-Sport news agency reported on Thursday.

In early July, Voynov was sentenced to 90 days in prison on charges of domestic violence against his wife, Marta Varlamova. As soon as Voynov was released on September 2, he was taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. The US immigration authorities said they would press for Voynov’s deportation.

“Earlier today, I notified the National Hockey League, the NHLPA and the Los Angeles Kings of my decision to immediately begin the formal process of returning to Russia with my family. I sincerely apologize to those in and around the game of hockey who have been affected by my situation and I also wish the players of the LA Kings success in the future,” Voynov said in a statement released through his agent, Roland Hedges, via Rich Hammond of the Orange County Register.

Hammond added that “self-deportation leaves open the possibility Voynov could return years later on [a] new visa.”

According to the media, deportation usually takes no more than a few weeks in such cases.