Police in Michigan have refrained from providing details on the situation involving former NHL player Ryan Kesler, who faces two charges of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Kesler, aged 41, appeared in Bloomfield Hills District Court via Zoom on Monday and pled not guilty to two misdemeanor charges related to incidents on January 1 in Orchard Lake, Michigan, as per court records. The following day after the alleged offenses, the incident was reported to law enforcement.
During the arraignment, bond was established at $50,000 US with a 10% deposit requirement. The Orchard Lake Police Department disclosed in a press release on Tuesday that Kesler was processed and released on bond, sharing his booking photo but refraining from disclosing further specifics. The department turned down a Freedom of Information Act request for the incident report, citing an ongoing investigation and concerns about jeopardizing it.
Kesler’s attorney, Robert J. Morad, stated emphatically that Kesler refutes the accusations and asserts his innocence regarding the charges. Morad emphasized, “The accusations are unfounded, and he is ready to vigorously defend himself in court.” Morad appealed for privacy and urged respect for the legal process, emphasizing Kesler’s presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The lawyer expressed confidence that Kesler would be cleared of all charges once all evidence and circumstances are presented.
Kesler is scheduled to attend a probable-cause conference on November 6 and a preliminary examination on November 13. Recently, he held a coaching position with the Little Caesars AAA program in Detroit, but the association confirmed his removal from the role in response to the situation, emphasizing that the allegation is not linked to their organization.
A native of Livonia, Michigan, Kesler played for the Vancouver Canucks from 2003 to 2014 before moving to the Anaheim Ducks until his retirement in 2019. He also represented the United States at the 2010 and 2014 Olympic Games and earned the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2011 for being the NHL’s top defensive forward. Kesler was part of Vancouver’s journey to the Stanley Cup final in 2011.