LATEST | Galchenyuk speaks to the media for first time since arrest in July

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Cooper Godin
August 28, 2023 (2:49 PM)

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For the first time since being arrested on numerous charges in Arizona in July, former NHLer Alex Galchenyuk has spoken to the media.

Galchenyuk, 29, signed a two-year contract with KHL club SKA St. Petersburg on Friday and recently sat down for an interview with a Russian media outlet.

Note: the quotes in this story are translated from Russian

"It's very nice, I was looking forward to coming here. It was necessary to solve a couple of issues - for example, to issue a visa. I can't wait until I go out with the guys on the ice.

There were conversations, I entrusted the agent to resolve this issue. Especially while my lawsuit was pending. I was still in California, but conversations with SKA have already begun. I spoke with Roman Borisovich (Rotenberg), and from that moment the option with St. Petersburg was the most serious one. I was aimed at SKA and wanted to play here, although there were talks with other clubs. A great team that has a good chance of winning the Gagarin Cup." Galchenyuk said when asked what he was feeling as he starts a new stage of his career and why he chose SKA St. Petersburg.

When asked about his charges in Arizona, he said: "No. All cases related to the trial, I decided. Draw conclusions and move on."

Last week, Galchenyuk had five of the six charges against him dropped, but pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor threatening charge. As a result, Galchenyuk was sentenced to 30 days of jail time, 27 of which will be suspended after he completes an alcohol recovery program and goes 12 months without consuming/possessing alcohol. He also had one day counted as time served.