Former Canuck Virtanen charged with sex assault

VANCOUVER — Former Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen has been charged with sexual assault following an investigation by authorities.

Vancouver police said Thursday the BC Prosecution Service approved one count of sexual assault against Virtanen in relation to an incident that occurred on Sept. 26, 2017, when he was playing for the Canucks.

Police launched an investigation in May after a 23-yearold woman filed a complaint.

Vancouver Police spokesperson Const. Tania Visintin commended the woman for coming forward.

“Any time there is a personal crime, especially one of sexual nature, I can imagine how difficult that could be,”Visintin said. “Especially when there is a suspect that has a high profile in the community.”

Virtanen, who is not in custody, is scheduled to appear in Vancouver provincial court on Feb. 10.

His agent, Kevin Epps, issued a statement Thursday that said Virtanen continued to deny the allegations of non-consensual sexual contact.

“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,” wrote Epps. “Mr. Virtanen continues to maintain his innocence.”

Virtanen, from Abbotsford now plays for Spartak Moscow of the Russian-based KHL.

“Crown is in contact with his lawyer, so I presume they will have conversations surrounding how to compel (Virtanen) to court,” said Visintin.

A civil lawsuit filed in Kelowna alleged Virtanen took the woman to a hotel in West Vancouver in September 2017 and assaulted her as she repeatedly said no and pleaded with him to stop. In a response, Virtanen said the pair had consensual sex.