Michigan authorities have refrained from discussing the legal proceedings involving former NHL player Ryan Kesler, who faces two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
According to court documents, Kesler, 41, appeared via Zoom in Bloomfield Hills District Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanour charges related to incidents on Jan. 1 in Orchard Lake, Michigan. The case was reported to the police the next day.
A bond of $50,000 US was established, requiring a 10% deposit for release. The Orchard Lake Police Department confirmed on Tuesday that Kesler was processed and posted bail, sharing his booking photo but offering no additional information.
Despite a request under the Freedom of Information Act for the incident report, the department declined, citing an ongoing investigation and the potential risk of compromising it.
In a statement, Robert J. Morad, Kesler’s legal representative, asserted his client’s innocence and vehement denial of the accusations. Morad emphasized that Kesler plans to vigorously contest the charges in court, urging respect for his privacy and the legal process.
Kesler is scheduled to attend a probable-cause conference on Nov. 6 and a preliminary examination on Nov. 13. Notably, he had been serving as a youth hockey coach with the Little Caesars AAA program in Detroit, but has been relieved of his duties in light of the allegations.
A native of Livonia, Michigan, Kesler played for the Vancouver Canucks from 2003 to 2014 before moving to the Anaheim Ducks, where he ended his career in 2019. He also represented the United States at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, earning the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2011 for his defensive prowess in the NHL. Additionally, he played a key role in Vancouver’s journey to the Stanley Cup final in the same year.
[Image: Ryan Kesler is depicted warming up for an NHL game with the Anaheim Ducks in 2018.]
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