Ryan Kesler, a former Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks all-star, has been charged with two misdemeanour counts of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree, according to court records.
The 41-year-old retired forward was arraigned in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., on Monday and pleaded not guilty.
The charges were filed against Kesler on Oct. 23 stemming from an alleged incident that took place on Jan. 1, according to court records.
“Ryan emphatically denies the allegations and is completely innocent of the charges. The charges are baseless and he is prepared to fight them vigorously in court,” Kesler’s lawyer, Robert Morad, told The Athletic on Monday evening.
“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.”
Records show that bond was set at US$5,000 by Judge Kimberly Small and was posted by the former player.
According to the Detroit News, Kesler currently coaches a 15U bantam midget team through the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club.
Program director Brian Rolston, also a former NHLer, did not immediately return a call seeking comment from the outlet.
In Michigan, fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct is punishable by a maximum of two years in prison and a fine of $500 for each count.
According to the Michigan penal code, fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct is defined as when a person engages in sexual contact with a someone under the age of 16, uses “force or coercion to accomplish the sexual contact,” or if the victim is incapacitated.
Kesler’s next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 6.
During his NHL career, Kesler played 10 seasons for the Canucks before signing with Anaheim, where he played five more years.
He played a total of 1,001 regular-season games, racking up 258 goals and 573 points. He was a two-time all-star and won the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2011 as the league’s best defensive forward. Kesler also was member of the silver-medal-winning U.S. Olympic hockey team at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. He also was a member of the 2014 team, which finished fourth in Sochi.