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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 counts of fourth-degree sexual offenses stemming from an alleged incident 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 professional was arraigned Monday in a Bloomfield Hills courtroom, where he pleaded not guilty.
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Kesler denied any wrongdoing in a statement from his attorney to PK Press Club Digital.
“Ryan categorically denies the allegations and is completely innocent of the charges. The allegations are false and he is prepared to fight them vigorously in court. As the case begins, we ask that you respect his privacy and allow the legal process to work. Just like all citizens accused of a crime, he is presumed innocent. We are confident that when all the facts and circumstances are presented, he will be fully exonerated.”
Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) skates during the first period against the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, January 6, 2018. (Sergei Belski/USA TODAY Sports)
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Details of the case were not immediately known, but in an update published Tuesday, The Athletic reported that the criminal complaint accused Kesler of having sexual contact with a 16-year-old “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 drafted 23rd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He helped the Canucks reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2011 before being traded to the Ducks in 2014. He ultimately retired after being sidelined due to 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 March 6, 2014. The Stars defeated the Canucks 6-1. (Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports)
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He won a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics representing Team USA.
