Russian commentator slams KHL for not acting on Reid Boucher situation

The KHL is taking flak in it's home country of Russia for failing to act on the Reid Boucher situation. Boucher, now 28, pleaded guilty in court to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl when he was 17. The KHL has released a statement saying it will not comment until after Boucher's sentencing on January 31st. Russian sports journalist Dmitry Guberniev says that's just wrong.

"We certainly don't need players like that in the KHL. The scumbag should not be playing hockey," said Guberniev.

"Lokomotiv says Boucher is on the team and is training on the roster. Isn't that a blow to the reputation of the KHL?" he continued.

"Are they out of their minds? That's very strange," said Guberniev.

The KHL has long had a reputation of welcoming former NHLers who have found themselves in trouble in North America. Very few with as serious a charge as this one, though. The KHL's stance that it won't comment until after the sentencing is confusing. Boucher has already admitted to the crime by pleading guilty in court. The severity of the sentence won't change the severity of the crime one way or the other.

Boucher was originally charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. However, during a court appearance in Michigan in December, the judge "agreed to let Boucher enter a plea for the lesser charge (of third-degree assault) and agreed to sentence him with no upfront jail time through the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, or HYTA. Under HYTA, the case won't appear on Boucher's public record if he successfully completes his sentence."

The victim in the case, who is now 23, is not happy with this decision. She was Boucher's billet sister while he was enrolled in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.

Source: Sport24.ru

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