Panarin's former teammate, who was with him on the night in question, recounts all details

Finally, we're hearing from someone who was with New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin on the night in 2011 when his former coach alleges he beat up an 18-year-old girl. Mikhail Anisin, who played for Vityaz with Panarin, has done a lengthy interview with Sports-Express.ru, recalling every detail he can remember. So far, the only person that has made any accusations towards Panarin is his former coach at the time, Andrei Nazarov. Here's a breakdown of what Anisin had to say about that night 10 years ago.

"Nazarov gave us three days off, because in the KHL championship there was a pause for the Eurotour."

"With Artemi, we then lived in the same room on the road, played in one trio, were friends and kept together. We decided to go to karaoke. Later, Alexey Troshchinsky also came up to us."

Anisin says there were indeed some girls at the bar that may have been around 18.

"Either we invited them to dance, or one of them told us off."

"The girls themselves were already drunk."

Asked if he remembers Panarin beating anyone up, Anisin said nothing like that happened.

"Artemi slightly pushed one of the girls away. And I'm not even sure that happened," said Anisin. "But there were definitely no blows, let alone a broken face. Can you imagine what they will do to you if you find yourself in such a scandal abroad?"

Anisin does admit that police were called by someone and came and asked questions. However, he insists there were no punches thrown.

"Upon his return to Russia, Panarin was summoned by the general manager of the club, Alexei Zhamnov, who held an educational conversation on the topic that a public person should be able to control himself, and fined," said Anisin.

Anisin also completely refutes accusations by Nazarov that police were given a $40,000 bribe to keep quiet, saying no one with the team had that kind of money back then. Asked if he was surprised that the allegations were being brought up 10 years later, Anisin had this to say:

"It surprised me, because there was nothing odd then. No fights involving girls. Do you know how many such situations occur in any club in ten years? Even in the current season of the KHL, I am sure that something like this may emerge. Those who know how the hockey life goes will not be surprised. It happens that they fight among themselves five times a season - and it's okay."

Nazarov is being accused by many of attempting to ruin Panarin's reputation and career for speaking out against Russian president Vladimir Putin. Anisin made it very clear in the interview that he does not agree with Panarin politically and that he should not telling people how to live their lives. However, he also said he does not believe in mixing politics with sports.

"Nothing supercriminal happened then," Anisin said.

"It didn't happen."

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