NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Former NHL player Ryan Kesler was charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct and pleaded not guilty after being arraigned in a Michigan court on Monday, according to multiple reports.
Kesler, who last played in the NHL in 2019 for the Anaheim Ducks, faces two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct stemming from an alleged incident that took place on Jan. 1, The Athletic first reported, citing court documents.
Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) looks for the puck during the first period against the Buffalo Sabers at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, on December 22, 2018. (Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports)
The 41-year-old former hockey pro was arraigned in a Bloomfield Hills court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Kesler denied any wrongdoing in a statement from his attorney to Pak Gazette Digital.
“Ryan emphatically denies the allegations and is completely innocent of the charges. The allegations are false and he is prepared to vigorously fight them in court. As we begin the case, we ask that you respect his privacy and allow the legal process to work. Like all citizens charged with a crime, he is presumed innocent. We are confident that when all the facts and circumstances are presented he will be completely exonerated.”
Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) skates during the first period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on January 6, 2018. (Sergei Belski/USA TODAY Sports)
NHL FAN FALLS FROM TOP CONTEST DURING PENGUIN GAME
Details of the case were not immediately known, but in an update Tuesday, The Athletic reported that the criminal complaint accused Kesler of having sexual contact with a 16-year-old boy “by force or coercion and/or (had) reason to know that the victim was physically helpless.”
Kesler played the majority of his NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks after being selected 23rd overall in the 2003 NHL Draft. He helped the Canucks reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2011 before being traded to the Ducks in 2014. He eventually retired after being sidelined by injuries.
Vancouver Canucks center Ryan Kesler (17) watches his team take on the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on March 6, 2014. The Stars defeated the Canucks 6-1. (Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
He won a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics representing Team USA.
