Flyers’ Evgeny Medvedev arrested for suspicion of DUI

Defenseman Evgeny Medvedev’s leaves the Philadelphia Flyers organization with a criminal record in tow.

The Russian blueliner was arrested early Wednesday, April 27 for suspicion of driving under the influence, reported NBCPhiladelphia.

Lower Moreland Police Chief Pete Hasson told NBC that Medvedev was stopped for a traffic violation around 2:45 a.m. along Byberry Road in Lower Moreland. The officer accordingly arrested the 33-year-old for suspicion of driving under the influence.

Charges have not officially  been filed in the case, as Philadelphia police are awaiting toxicology results. Medvedev has since been released from police custody.

Flyers general manager Ron Hextall stated he is aware of the report but hasn’t been informed of anything concrete around the development. However, when asked if the organization was considering re-signing Medvedev, he responded,  “I’d say probably we’re leaning towards not.”

Medvedev signed a one-year contract with the Flyers in May 2015 just wrapped his first year with the Flyers — and in the NHL — after a lengthy pro career in Russia. He played for Ak Bars Kazan in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) since its inception in 2008 and spent three seasons prior to that playing in the KHL’s predecessor, the Russian Elite League.

He appeared in 373 career games for the team, recording 37 goals and 128 assists for 165 points, along with 408 PIM and a +100 rating. In the KHL, Medvedev won two Gagarin Cup league championships with Ak Bars Kazan (2008-09, 2009-10) and was a three-time KHL All-Star (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14).  He also represented Russia internationally, winning gold medals at the World Championships in 2011-12 and 2013-14 and a silver medal in this year’s World Championships in Prague in 2015.  He also represented Russia at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.

The Russian national was a fairly regular lineup presence in the first half but had his role reduced as the season went along, and ended up appearing in just 45 games and earning just 13 points from four goals and nine assists. During the final two months before the playoffs series against the Washington Capitals, he saw little ice time and was deemed a healthy scratch from the postseason roster.

Medvedev is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

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