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. Court documents reveal that Kesler, aged 41, appeared via Zoom for arraignment in Bloomfield Hills District Court. He pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor charges related to incidents on January 1 in Orchard Lake, Michigan, which were reported to authorities the next day. Bond was established at $50,000 US with a 10% deposit.
According to a release from the Orchard Lake Police Department on Tuesday, Kesler was processed and posted bail following his booking. Although his booking photo was released, no additional information was disclosed. The department rejected a Freedom of Information Act request for the incident report, citing an ongoing investigation that could be compromised by releasing the records.
Kesler’s attorney, Robert J. Morad, issued a statement asserting Kesler’s innocence and denial of the accusations. Morad emphasized that Kesler plans to vigorously contest the charges in court, urging the public to respect his privacy and trust in the legal process. Kesler is scheduled to attend a probable-cause conference on November 6 and a preliminary examination on November 13.
Having served as a youth hockey coach with the Little Caesars AAA program in Detroit, Kesler has been relieved of his duties in light of the allegations. Although the incident is unrelated to the organization, Kesler’s removal is deemed necessary during the legal proceedings. A native of Livonia, Michigan, Kesler played for the Vancouver Canucks from 2003 to 2014 before transitioning to the Anaheim Ducks until his retirement in 2019. He was a key member of the United States Olympic teams in 2010 and 2014, earning accolades such as the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2011 for his defensive prowess in the NHL and contributing to Vancouver’s journey to the Stanley Cup final that same year.