Michigan police have refrained from discussing the situation involving ex-NHL player Ryan Kesler, who is facing two charges of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Public records indicate that Kesler, aged 41, appeared via Zoom for his arraignment in Bloomfield Hills District Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor charges related to incidents allegedly occurring on January 1 in Orchard Lake, Michigan. The incident was reported to authorities the next day.
Kesler’s bond was established at $50,000 US, requiring a 10 percent deposit. Orchard Lake Police Department confirmed in a press release on Tuesday that Kesler had been processed and posted bail. The department unveiled his booking photo but refrained from sharing additional specifics. They rejected a Freedom of Information Act request for the incident report, citing an ongoing investigation and the potential compromise of the case if records were disclosed.
Robert J. Morad, Kesler’s legal counsel, issued a statement asserting Kesler’s complete denial of the accusations, emphasizing his innocence. Morad emphasized that Kesler is prepared to vehemently defend himself in court and urged respect for his privacy as the legal process unfolds. Kesler is scheduled to participate in a probable-cause conference on November 6 and a preliminary examination on November 13.
Despite the allegation not being linked to the organization, Kesler has been relieved of his coaching duties with the Little Caesars AAA program in Detroit. The Livonia, Michigan, native, known for his tenure with the Vancouver Canucks from 2003 to 2014 and subsequently with the Anaheim Ducks until his retirement in 2019, was also a prominent figure in the United States Olympic teams in 2010 and 2014. Kesler claimed the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2011 for being the NHL’s premier defensive forward and was part of Vancouver’s journey to the Stanley Cup final that same year.