Jake Virtanen charged, facing potentially 10 years in prison if convicted

Former Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen is expected to be arrested by the Vancouver Police Department once extradited from Russia after being charged with sexual assault from an incident in 2017.

From CityNews in Vancouver:

Vancouver police say the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of sexual assault against the 25-year-old. The investigation stems from an incident that happened in 2017. The now 23-year-old woman brought forward claims against the hockey player in May 2021. The VPD says Virtanen is not currently in custody.

Virtanen was suspended by the Canucks and eventually bought out of his contract when these allegations to light and has been playing with Moscow Spartak in the KHL this season.

In addition to the criminal charges against Virtanen, the alleged victim also filed a lawsuit against Virtanen claiming that “the actions of Virtanen were reckless, arrogant, high-handed, abusive and show a callous disregard for the wishes of the plaintiff.”

According to the claim, Virtanen and the woman agreed to meet for a date, but Virtanen allegedly instead drove her to a Vancouver hotel where he was staying.

The civil claim alleges when they entered the room, “Virtanen came up behind the plaintiff and began kissing her neck and putting his hands all over her body. The plaintiff allegedly shrugged Virtanen off.”

The civil claim alleges Virtanen “became more persistent in his attempt to have sex with the plaintiff.”

The woman claims in her court filings that she told Virtanen “no.”

“Given Virtanen’s height, body weight and superior strength, the plaintiff was powerless and was unable to force Virtanen off of her,” the documents allege. “Virtanen proceeded to push open the plaintiff’s legs and to have sexual intercourse with the plaintiff without the plaintiff’s consent.”

“I couldn’t believe that I said no and he didn’t take that for an answer,” she says. “I felt violated and gross and wanted to leave.”

In his official police response, Virtanen stated that he “denies that the plaintiff expressed any indication, verbal or physical, that she did not want to engage in any sexual activity.” He added that, “the plaintiff, through her words and conduct indicated that she consented to the sexual activity that occurred.”

He has yet to make a comment on the criminal charges and given the severity of it, I very much doubt he will. Stay tuned.