Civil suit filed against Vancouver Canucks’ Jake Virtanen on sex assault claims

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A woman who has accused Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen of sexual assault is suing him.

The notice was filed on Wednesday at B.C. Supreme Court in Kelowna.

It says the woman and Virtanen met at a music festival at the Calgary Stampede in 2017. It claims it was about two months later that the alleged assault took place, at a West Vancouver hotel.

The detailed account claims “Virtanen, by his unlawful actions, violated the sexual integrity of the Plaintiff,” who has not been named and who was a minor at the time of the outlined offence.

“Virtanen’s actions were deliberate, flagrant, and outrageous,” the notice reads, adding his “actions were premeditated and intentional.”

“He knew before and during the Sexual Assault that his actions would cause the Plaintiff to suffer mental harm, shock, humiliation, shame, and embarrassment,” it adds.

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The woman says she suffered “severe injuries and consequences” as a result, including PTSD, diminished self-worth, depression, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life.

The notice is seeking punitive and exemplary damages against the 24-year-old hockey player.

Virtanen was benched by the team after the assault claims surfaced. At the time, on May 1, the Canucks said he would remain on leave as an independent investigation was being launched.

“Our organization does not accept sexual misconduct of any kind and the claims as reported are being treated very seriously by us,” a statement from the Canucks said.

Vancouver police confirmed days later that they were now looking into the allegations against Virtanen, noting investigators had made contact with the complainant.

Virtanen has not yet responded to the civil claim.

NEWS 1130 has reached out to Virtanen’s agent for comment.