Anaheim Ducks
Ryan Kesler Pleads Not Guilty to Criminal Sexual Conduct Charges
Former NHL center Ryan Kesler has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree.
Retired NHL center Ryan Kesler has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree, according to court records.
The Athletic’s Sean Gentille and Katie Strang have the story, and in their report note that Kesler, 41, appeared Monday in a Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, courtroom for his arraignment and pleaded not guilty.
The charges stem from alleged events on January 1 and were filed on October 23. His next court appearance, a probable cause conference, is scheduled for November 6.
“Ryan emphatically denies the allegations and is completely innocent of the charges,” Kesler’s attorney Robert Morad told The Athletic. “The charges are baseless, and he is prepared to fight them vigorously in court. As the legal process begins, we ask for respect for his privacy and for the integrity of the judicial system. We are confident, when all the facts and circumstances are presented, that he will be fully exonerated.”
Kesler played in the NHL from 2003 to 2019 with the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks. He also represented the United States in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. He finished his NHL career with 1001 games played and 573 points.
The case is in its early stages, and the legal proceedings are expected to unfold over the coming months.
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