Ryan Kesler, a former NHL center and two-time Olympian, has been charged in Michigan with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a minor, according to court documents and multiple reports.
Kesler, 41, was arraigned via Zoom on Monday in Bloomfield Hills District Court. He pleaded not guilty to both misdemeanor charges. The alleged incident occurred on Jan. 1 in Orchard Lake, a suburb northwest of Detroit. Court filings state Kesler is accused of sexual contact with a 16-year-old, either through force or coercion or knowing the victim was physically helpless.
Bond was set at $50,000 USD, with a 10 percent deposit required for release. Kesler was ordered not to leave Michigan without court approval. He must appear for all scheduled hearings. These include a probable-cause conference on Nov. 6 and a preliminary examination on Nov. 13.
In a statement to The Athletic, Kesler’s attorney, Robert Morad, strongly denied the allegations. Morad said, “Ryan emphatically denies the allegations and is completely innocent of the charges.” He asked for respect for Kesler’s privacy and the judicial system. Morad added that he is confident Kesler will be fully exonerated when all the facts are presented.
The charges were filed last Thursday. The Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) suspended Kesler from his duties as a youth hockey coach. MAHA president Tom Berry confirmed Kesler is also barred from all USA Hockey-sanctioned activities. Kesler had been in his third season coaching the Detroit-area Little Caesars AAA 15O Bantam Midget team.
Kesler, a native of Livonia, Michigan, played 15 NHL seasons after being selected 23rd overall by Vancouver in 2003. He appeared in 1,001 regular-season games, scoring 258 goals and 315 assists. Known for two-way play and defensive reliability, he won the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2011 as the league’s best defensive forward. He was instrumental in leading Vancouver to the Stanley Cup Final that year.
He represented Team USA at two Winter Olympics. He earned a silver medal in 2010 in Vancouver, then competed again in Sochi in 2014. His hard-nosed, shutdown style made him one of the league’s most respected competitors. Chronic hip injuries ended his career in 2019 with the Anaheim Ducks.
The charges against Kesler fall under Michigan’s fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct statute. This law covers non-consensual sexual contact when the alleged victim is between 13 and 16 years old, or when the person is incapacitated or coerced. Although classified as misdemeanors, the allegations are serious due to the involvement of a minor.
Legal experts say Kesler’s public profile will intensify the case. “When high-profile figures are accused of misconduct involving minors, public interest and scrutiny can be immense, regardless of the verdict,” said University of Michigan law professor Lydia Hartman in a telephone interview.
For the NHL and its alumni community, these charges present another difficult moment involving a former player now in youth sports. The league has not commented publicly. Neither the Anaheim Ducks nor the Vancouver Canucks has issued statements as of Tuesday.
The case is still in its early stages. No trial date has been set. Kesler maintains his innocence, and his legal team plans to contest both counts vigorously. “He intends to fight these charges to clear his name,” Morad said.
Until the case is resolved, Kesler’s post-playing career in youth hockey is on hold. This is a stark contrast to his years as one of the NHL’s most dependable two-way forwards.
