Ex-Canuck Jake Virtanen charged with sexual assault in Vancouver case
Warning: This story contains a graphic description of an alleged sexual assault that readers may find upsetting.
A former Vancouver Canucks player has been charged with sexual assault in connection with an investigation in Vancouver, police say.
The charge against Jacob Reid Virtanen, better known to hockey fans as Jake Virtanen, is tied to an allegation from Sept. 26, 2017. It was approved by the B.C. Prosecution Service Thursday, according to the Vancouver Police Department.
He has denied the allegation, which has not been tested in court.
Virtanen, now 25, was playing in the National Hockey League at the time. The investigation began back in May when a young woman filed a police report.
Virtanen is not in custody, police said. No further details were provided by the department.
He was placed on leave by the Canucks in May and on waivers in July, after the allegation surfaced.
The team hoped for a buyout of the final year of his contract – at the time, the Canucks were on the hook for about one-third of his remaining $3 million salary.
In September it was announced that Virtanen was headed to Russia to play with Spartak Moscow in the KHL.
The right winger from B.C.'s Lower Mainland is also the subject of a lawsuit related to an assault allegation from Sept. 26, 2017.
CTV News reached out to police to confirm the incidents are the same, but was told that no further information could be provided due to a publication ban.
The B.C. Prosecution Service too said no further comment would be made as the case is before the courts.
In court documents, his accuser alleged the assault happened at a hotel. Virtanen responded to the suit and acknowledged having sex with the accuser, but said she consented "through her words and conduct."
A lawyer for Virtanen denied allegations that the professional athlete "used his body weight and superior strength" to render the accuser unconscious.
Both said they'd first met at the Calgary Stampede, and exchanged text messages for a couple of months before meeting up in Vancouver.
His accuser's statement of claim indicates that she was "a youth" at the time of the incident, and Virtanen was 20. In his response, Virtanen said he understood her to be 18 when they met.
The allegations in the lawsuit have also not been proven in court.
A statement from Virtanen's agent obtained by The Canadian Press said the former Canuck continues to deny the allegations.
"He has filed a response to the complainant's civil lawsuit. He has sent police a statement, denying the allegations. He took a polygraph examination and provided that report to the police," Kevin Epps wrote. "Mr. Virtanen continues to maintain his innocence and looks forward to defending himself at trial."
Virtanen was due in court Thursday for his first appearance, but that has been adjourned to Feb. 10, the BCPS said.
In a statement issued after the charge was made public, the Vancouver Canucks said the team has been in contact with police throughout the investigation, and will continue to provide support as needed.
"Our organization is committed to fostering a safe and welcoming environment and will not tolerate sexual misconduct of any kind," the team said.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.