Willie Mitchell, a former Vancouver Canuck defenseman, has stated in court documents that the woman who is suing him for alleged sexual assault in Tofino, B.C., willingly participated in their sexual encounter.
Mitchell’s account of the incident was presented in response to a civil lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court in October by a plaintiff identified as S.D.K. The lawsuit claims that after a night of drinking and partying at the Tofino Resort and Marina, co-owned by Mitchell, he took the plaintiff, a 26-year-old off-duty server at the resort, to his condo and engaged in unprotected sex without her consent.
In his defense, Mitchell asserts that the plaintiff was actively involved in the intercourse and that she was a willing participant. He explains that on the night of September 11, 2022, while attending an event at the Hatch Pub within the Tofino Resort and Marina, he got intoxicated. At that time, Mitchell was the managing director of the resort in addition to being a co-owner.
According to Mitchell, S.D.K. approached him during the event, and they danced and kissed on the dance floor, continuing their interaction in the bathroom. Mitchell claims that a designated driver drove him and S.D.K. back to his condo, where they engaged in sexual activity that night and the following morning.
He further states that the plaintiff verbally and physically expressed enjoyment before and during their intercourse on September 12, 2022. Mitchell asserts that he took reasonable steps to ensure the plaintiff’s informed consent for sexual activity and had no doubts about her ability to provide consent at the relevant times.
Despite S.D.K. filing a report with the RCMP, a subsequent criminal investigation in which Mitchell cooperated did not lead to any charges.
Willie Mitchell, 48, a native of Port McNeill on Vancouver Island, played four of his 15 NHL seasons with the Vancouver Canucks. He secured Stanley Cup victories with the L.A. Kings in 2012 and 2014 before retiring from the NHL in 2016.
The Tofino Resort and Marina, along with an associated numbered company, are also defendants in S.D.K.’s lawsuit, seeking compensation for injuries sustained, including loss of past and future earning potential.
The plaintiff’s lawsuit indicates her intention to present evidence from other female complainants alleging Mitchell’s past conduct involved coercing or harassing intoxicated young women into sexual activities and sexually harassing or assaulting female staff at the Tofino Resort.
In response, Mitchell highlights that he has been attending counseling since the events of September 11, 2022, and focuses on his family. He is described as a dedicated philanthropist engaged in charitable activities throughout British Columbia.