Kings suspend prospect Patrik Bartosak, who faces charges in New Hampshire

The Kings have suspended goalie prospect Patrik Bartosak without pay after reports that he is facing 12 charges related to a domestic violence case in Manchester, N.H.

A felony second-degree assault charge alleges that Bartosak attempted to strangle his girlfriend during an incident Monday afternoon, according to a report in the Union Leader newspaper.

“We take this matter very seriously,” the Kings said in a statement released Wednesday. “Our response in this matter reflects our extreme disappointment, particularly given the programs we have instituted internally and the commitment our organization has made to educating our players on the prevention of domestic violence.

“This is the first step in an ongoing process as we continue to gather information related to this incident and monitor the legal proceedings.”

The Manchester-based lawyer listed as Bartosak’s representative in court papers did not respond to calls and emails seeking comment.

It is the second time in a year that a player in the Kings organization has faced charges in a domestic violence case. The other involved defenseman Slava Voynov, who was arrested early last season and eventually entered a no-contest plea to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in July. In September, Voynov went back to his native Russia rather than contest deportation proceedings.

Hours after Voynov had been arrested, the league announced his indefinite suspension with pay, pending a formal investigation by the NHL. Regarding Bartosak, an NHL official noted that it did not have jurisdiction.

Bartosak was coming off an injury and was due to return to the Kings’ top minor league team, Ontario of the American Hockey League, after playing two games in Manchester.

Fraser retires

Colin Fraser, a member of the Kings’ Stanley Cup champion team in 2012, has retired, according to German media reports. He had been playing this season for the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers in Nuremberg, Germany.

Kings Coach Darryl Sutter called Fraser “a winner” and “a good man,” remembering that Fraser was on the ice for the last shift when the team won the Cup against the New Jersey Devils. Sutter went down memory lane after the team’s practice at Sewell, N.J., on Wednesday.

“He was the first guy, I think, who jumped [Kings goalie] Jonathan Quick,” Sutter said of the celebration. “He scored a big goal in that series, going into New Jersey. The goal on [Martin] Brodeur from the slot.”

Follow Lisa Dillman on Twitter: @reallisa