Police authorities in Michigan have refrained from providing comments on the legal case involving Ryan Kesler, a former NHL player, who is facing two charges of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Court documents reveal that Kesler, aged 41, appeared for arraignment via Zoom at the Bloomfield Hills District Court on Monday and entered a plea of not guilty to two misdemeanor charges related to incidents on January 1 in Orchard Lake, Michigan. The alleged offenses were reported to law enforcement the following day.
Following the arraignment, a bond of $50,000 US with a 10 percent deposit was set for Kesler. The Orchard Lake Police Department issued a press release on Tuesday confirming that Kesler was processed and posted bond. While the department released Kesler’s booking photograph, no additional information was disclosed.
In response to a Freedom of Information Act request for the incident report, the Orchard Lake Police Department declined, citing an ongoing investigation and the potential risk of compromising the case if the records were made public.
Robert J. Morad, the legal representative for Kesler, issued a statement asserting Kesler’s innocence and denial of the allegations. Morad emphasized that Kesler vehemently refutes the charges and is fully prepared to contest them in court. He urged respect for Kesler’s privacy and emphasized the importance of allowing the legal process to unfold, underscoring Kesler’s presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.
Kesler is scheduled to attend a probable-cause conference on November 6 and a preliminary examination on November 13. Notably, he had been involved as a youth hockey coach with the Little Caesars AAA program in Detroit, but following the legal developments, he has been relieved of his duties.
A Livonia, Michigan native, Kesler notably played for the Vancouver Canucks from 2003 to 2014 before transitioning to the Anaheim Ducks, where he concluded his professional career in 2019. His hockey career also included representing the United States at the Olympics in 2010 and 2014, winning the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2011 for his defensive prowess and contributing to Vancouver’s journey to the Stanley Cup final that same year.