Retired NHL participant Ryan Kesler is talking out after he was accused of sexual assault in Michigan.
“Ryan emphatically denies the allegations and is totally harmless of the fees. The allegations are false, and he's ready to combat them vigorously in court docket,” Kesler's lawyer Robert Morad informed Us Weekly on Tuesday, October 28. “Because the case begins, we ask that you just respect his privateness and that you just enable the authorized course of to work. Identical to all residents accused of a criminal offense, he's presumed to be harmless. We're assured that when all the information and circumstances are introduced that he might be absolutely exonerated.”
The previous Vancouver Canucks participant, 41, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of prison sexual conduct within the fourth diploma, in accordance with court docket information considered by The Atlantic.
Kesler was arraigned on Monday, October 27, in a Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, courtroom, the place he pleaded not responsible to all fees. His subsequent court docket look — anticipated to be a possible trigger convention — is scheduled for Thursday, November 6.
In line with The Athletic, Kesler's fees stem from an alleged incident reported to the Orchard Lake Police Division on January 2. Investigators have but to launch particulars concerning the allegations. Kesler was booked and posted a $50,000 bond.
Us has reached out to the Orchard Lake Police Division for remark.
Kesler had an extended profession within the NHL, the place he performed for the Vancouver Canucks earlier than transferring to the Anaheim Geese in California.
Throughout a latest interview, Kesler mentioned he needs he might have retired as a member of the Canucks.
CALGARY, AB – FEBRUARY 22: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Anaheim Geese warms up earlier than an NHL recreation in opposition to the Calgary Flames on February 22, 2019 on the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photograph by Gerry Thomas/NHLI by way of Getty Pictures) *** Native Caption *** Ryan Kesler Gerry Thomas/NHLI by way of Getty Pictures
“Now that I'm retired and looking out again on it, I left to win a Cup,” Kesler mentioned in November 2024. “I can say I actually remorse that now.”
The athlete additionally represented Workforce USA twice within the Winter Olympics. He gained a silver medal on the 2010 video games in Vancouver, and completed fourth on the 2014 video games in Sochi, Russia.
“Every part simply retains getting higher for me,” he informed The Canadian Press after his stint on the Olympics. “I'm very excited.”
Kesler was later requested to be the duvet athlete and spokesman for the favored online game, NHL 2K11.
“Having the chance to take part within the Olympics and play in entrance of my dwelling crowd was among the best experiences of my life,” he said after the 2010 Winter Olympics. “To now be chosen as the following cowl athlete for NHL 2K11 is one other dream come true.”
Regardless of his many accomplishments, Kesler is already coping with the fallout of the sexual assault allegations.
If there was a Stanley Cup for parenting, absolutely these NHL all-stars would win all of it. Washington Capitals athlete Alex Ovechkin, for his half, shares sons Ilya and Sergei together with his spouse, Nastasiya Ovechkina. Alex and Nastasiya's boys have regularly been within the stands, however they aren't pushing their children to observe in Dad's footsteps. […]
The Michigan Newbie Hockey Affiliation, the game's governing physique within the state, has suspended Kesler from all MAHA and USA Hockey actions, MAHA president Tom Berry informed The Athletic.
Kesler is at the moment in his third season as a head coach with the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Membership, a Detroit-area youth program.
A spokesperson for Little Caesars Hockey confirmed Kesler “has been faraway from his place whereas this matter is addressed by the judicial system” and that the allegation was not linked to the group.
When you or somebody you already know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
