Authorities in the state of Michigan have refrained from issuing statements regarding the situation surrounding Ryan Kesler, previously a prominent figure in the National Hockey League, who is now facing accusations involving two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Official court documents indicate that Kesler, aged 41, participated in an arraignment via the Zoom platform on Monday within the Bloomfield Hills District Court. During this session, he entered a plea of not guilty concerning two misdemeanor charges that stem from alleged occurrences on January 1 in Orchard Lake, Michigan. The alleged incident was formally reported to law enforcement authorities the subsequent day.
A monetary bond was established at $50,000 USD, requiring a ten per cent deposit for release.
The Orchard Lake Police Department issued an official communication on Tuesday, stating that Kesler was processed and subsequently released after posting the required bond. They made available his booking photograph but did not elaborate with further specifics.
The department rejected a request filed under the Freedom of Information Act for access to the incident report. They justified this decision by stating that the case is still under active investigation, and the disclosure of such records could potentially jeopardize the ongoing inquiry.
Robert J. Morad, who serves as Kesler’s legal representative, released a statement asserting that Kesler “categorically denies the allegations and maintains complete innocence of the charges.”
“The claims are unfounded, and he is fully prepared to contest them vigorously within the legal system,” Morad conveyed.
“As the proceedings commence, we respectfully request that his privacy be respected and that the judicial process be allowed to unfold without undue interference. As with all individuals accused of a crime, he is presumed to be innocent. We firmly believe that once all relevant facts and circumstances are presented, he will be fully vindicated.”
Kesler is mandated to be present at a probable-cause conference scheduled for November 6, followed by a preliminary examination on November 13.
A native of Livonia, Michigan, he was a player for the Vancouver Canucks spanning from 2003 to 2014 before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks, where he continued to play until he concluded his career in 2019.
In addition, he was selected as a team member of the United States Olympic teams for both the 2010 and 2014 games, and he received the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2011 in recognition of being the NHL’s premier defensive forward. Further, he contributed to Vancouver’s journey to the Stanley Cup final during that same year.
