Former Vancouver Canuck Jake Virtanen charged in sex assault investigation

Former Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen has been charged with sexual assault.

Vancouver police say the BC Prosecution Service approved the count against the 25-year-old, who currently plays in Russia, in connection with an incident that’s said to have happened in September 2017.

Virtanen’s first court appearance on this charge is set for Feb. 10 at 9 a.m. in Vancouver Provincial Court.

“Crown is in contact with his lawyer, so I presume that they will have conversations surrounding how to compel him to court or what the best way would be to compel him to court,” said Cst. Tania Visintin Thursday.

In May 2021, the VPD confirmed it was looking into sexual misconduct allegations against the hockey player after claims surfaced on social media. In posts, a woman claimed Virtanen sexually assaulted her in a Vancouver hotel when she was 18, despite her pleading for him to stop.

#BREAKING Former Vancouver Canuck Jake Virtanen has been charged with sexual assault, according to Vancouver Police. The assault is said to have happened in September 2017. Police say Virtanen — who now plays in Russia — is not in custody. More to come @CityNewsVAN #Canucks

— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) January 27, 2022

Shortly after accusations emerged, the Canucks placed Virtanen on leave as an independent investigation was conducted.

A civil suit was filed in Kelowna against him that same month, to which he responded on June 1 saying what happened between him and the woman was consensual.

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In his response, Virtanen denied the woman “expressed any indication, verbal or physical, that she did not want to engage in physical activity.” He asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed and for the court to award him special costs, due to the nature of the allegations.

In August 2021, Virtanen’s agent questioned the complainant’s decision to pursue a civil suit over seeking civil charges, saying the way the accusation unfolded was “unusual and troubling.”

Visintin says the VPD’s investigation has concluded. There had been some confusion initially as to where exactly the assault was said to have taken place, with court documents citing a West Vancouver hotel as the location.

From the #Canucks: “We have been in contact with the VPD throughout their 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.” @CityNewsVAN https://t.co/qd5A28huXE

— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) January 27, 2022

Visintin confirms the VPD’s probe was the only one before the courts.

“This charge is for an incident that happened in Vancouver on Sept. 26, 2017, and that was led by Vancouver police,” she said.

In response to the charges, Kevin Epp, Virtanen’s agent reiterated that the 25-year-old “denies the allegations of non-consensual sexual contact with the complainant.”

“Mr. Virtanen continues to maintain his innocence and looks forward to defending himself at trial,” Epp adds.

Virtanen’s agent, Kevin Epp, now out with a statement: pic.twitter.com/bFLLw2BrsX

— Crystal Laderas (@CrisLaderas) January 27, 2022

Vancouver police say Virtanen is not currently in custody.

No further details have been provided.

-With files from Crystal Laderas