Police authorities in Michigan have refrained from providing any comments regarding the legal proceedings involving former NHL player Ryan Kesler, who faces two charges of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
According to court documents, 41-year-old Kesler appeared via Zoom for arraignment at Bloomfield Hills District Court on Monday. He pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor charges related to incidents on January 1 in Orchard Lake, Michigan, which were reported to the police the following day.
Kesler’s bond was set at $50,000 US, requiring a 10 percent deposit. The Orchard Lake Police Department confirmed that Kesler was booked and released after posting bond. The department shared Kesler’s booking photo but refrained from disclosing further details.
In response to a Freedom of Information Act request for the incident report, the department cited an ongoing investigation and declined to release the records, citing concerns about compromising the case.
Robert J. Morad, Kesler’s legal representative, issued a statement asserting Kesler’s innocence and denial of the allegations. Morad emphasized that Kesler is prepared to vigorously contest the charges in court and urged respect for Kesler’s privacy during the legal process, emphasizing the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Kesler is scheduled to attend a probable-cause conference on November 6 and a preliminary examination on November 13. Notably, he had been serving as a youth hockey coach with the Little Caesars AAA program in Detroit, but has since been relieved of his duties in light of the allegations.
Originally from Livonia, Michigan, Kesler had a successful career in the NHL, notably playing for the Vancouver Canucks from 2003 to 2014 before joining the Anaheim Ducks until his retirement in 2019. He also represented the United States in the 2010 and 2014 Olympic teams and received the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2011 for being the league’s top defensive forward. Additionally, he played a role in Vancouver’s journey to the Stanley Cup final in 2011.